Jayakarta, Saturday, November 18, 2323

Living in a luxury apartment like this had a surprising effect on my peace of mind. I was finally getting used to the comfort of the California King bed, which pampered my body throughout the night.

Since today was my first day acting as Aldelynn’s personal assistant, I needed to adjust to her usual Saturday routine.

But apparently, Livia hadn’t written anything down.

What was I supposed to do now?

I had no idea where to even begin. Meanwhile, Inspector Hartini expected a report from me by Saturday afternoon detailing everything I’d done. Would it be too forward if I visited her apartment directly?

Before I could decide, the doorbell rang.

Instinctively, I checked the peephole—only to find Aldelynn standing there.

I opened the door in an instant.

Without saying a word, she stepped inside.

I froze, taken aback by her unmatched cool demeanor. She wore a tank top and shorts, effortlessly flaunting her smooth skin and a figure that made me feel self-conscious.

“W-welcome, Aldelynn,” I stammered as I closed the door behind her.

“What are you cooking?”

“I—I just moved in yesterday afternoon,” I answered honestly.

“Oh,” she said simply, then took a seat on the sofa.

“What do you like for breakfast?”

“Anything, as long as the portion’s big.”

Makes sense. She had a well-toned figure—not skinny, but not heavy either. To me, she embodied the ideal standard of beauty. She gazed out at the Jayakarta skyline. I had to admit, the city view from here was stunning.

“How about a meat and cheese sandwich?”

She nodded without even turning to look, exuding effortless elegance. I still didn’t understand why the government relocated Aldelynn if there was a serious threat to her.

“You’re a First Infantry, right?”

I sighed. “Yeah. Epsilon Corps.”

“Do you have friends?”

I closed my eyes for a moment. “If you mean close friends, then no. This job requires me to keep my identity guarded—no matter where I am.”

“Do you want to be my friend?”

A question almost identical to yesterday. “O-of course.”

The conversation ended abruptly as I went to prepare her sandwich. It finally hit me—maybe LOMACTUS Livia’s visit was to prepare me for this. The kitchen was already fully stocked, and school uniforms were neatly arranged in the wardrobe.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I began cooking. Judging by her demeanor, I assumed she was just a spoiled rich girl.

But I was wrong.

Just as the sandwich was nearly done, she began helping me set the table and joined me in the kitchen.

Turns out, I had misjudged her completely.

"Are you sure—six?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded. “It’s not that much. I’ll probably get hungry again later.”

This morning’s breakfast consisted of four slices of toasted bread per set. The bottom layer was cheese, followed by smoked meat and a 100-gram cut of beef, topped with lettuce, tomato, and pickled cucumbers.

Aldelynn really ate six full sets of that meal.

Just imagine—six hundred grams of beef and smoked meat. Add the bread and veggies, and she probably consumed over a kilogram of food just for breakfast.

But once again, not even a hint of fat on her body.

She even cleaned the plates and wiped the table down herself, swift and meticulous. It made me question why the National Police even needed me to guard her.

This girl clearly could handle herself.

A moment later, she settled back onto the sofa, her gaze fixed once again on the Jayakarta skyline. “Mama wanted you to help me. As you probably guessed, I can do most things on my own.”

Strange. I hadn’t said a word. But somehow, she nailed exactly what I’d been thinking. As if… she could read minds.

“I just want you to help me seem more like a normal person. That’s all.”

“What makes you not normal?” I asked, honestly curious as I looked at her.

“I’m an M.o.G. graduate. I finished at thirteen. You know what that means.”

M.o.G.—Magister of Genius. A rare academic title for those who complete a master’s degree under the genius program. No wonder she held the top rank in the entire universe.

“But I’m only one of three M.o.G.s at this age,” she continued. “The other two girls are just much better at socializing.”

“Don’t tell me… Annaiya Ashford and Carlanne Thallea? You’re number one because your name starts with ‘A’?”

She nodded. “Exactly. All three of us have AR-1 scores. Perfect. But the Confederated Monarchy of Admaspheria requires us to attend high school, or we won’t be eligible to pursue a doctorate.”

“It’s mandatory?” I asked, even more intrigued.

“I scored a 10 in ‘Social Interaction Awareness.’ That’s why Annaiya and Carlanne were assigned to accompany me. To help me ‘fit in.’”

It all started to make sense.

Before being assigned to high school, I had a personality a lot like Aldelynn’s. The only difference was, I wasn’t born with her brilliance. What I was, though, was anti-social.

When I turned six, I enrolled in Pelita Nusantara. I knew back then that it was my only path to sharpen my analytical abilities—my only chance to become part of the National Police.

I graduated at Simulation Level 14. Because of that, the Admaspherian National Police granted me the title Rear Jagabaya and assigned me to train with 7.62mm-caliber rifles.

Things were going well. I had no friends, and I liked it that way—until the promotion exam came.

Moving up from Enlisted to Mid-Level Non-Commissioned Officer required passing Simulation Level 17.

I failed.

Every single time.

My anti-social tendencies were my downfall.

So I worked hard—really hard—to learn how to engage with others. Eventually, I earned the rank of First Infantry. According to my instructor, Inspector Hermawan, I was supposed to make it to Infantry long ago.

I spent too long repeating Simulation Level 16, never once reaching the score required to advance as a Enlisted. But I’ve never regretted it. First Infantry remains the highest rank granted to any graduate from Pelita Nusantara Junior High, class of 2319.

“Isn’t it the same for you? You couldn’t become a Enlisted either because of your low social score,” Aldelynn said, cutting through my daydream like a sharp gust of wind.

I nodded slowly. “You’re right. I understand now. But... don’t you have an incredible father?”

She shook her head. “Mama always says, this is a Rechtsstaat. The Constitution of 2070 is the supreme law. Even if I’m the daughter of BELLATRIX or the granddaughter of IMPERATRIX, I still have to obey the law.”

“I agree. This country was once torn apart by the greed of elites, trying to establish an oligarchic dynasty. That’s why—even though my father is also a high-ranking officer in the National Police—I never wanted to ride on his name.”

“Grand Director Gatot Eko Adrianto,” she said, crossing her legs with a grace so natural it almost looked rehearsed. “Commander of the Pasundan Metropolitan Police, serving under Ventus Imperias Grandehug. A respected officer who’s kept Pasundan’s defense stable throughout his term. That’s why I chose you, Ayu.”

I was chosen... because of that?

Could my father have played a role in her decision? The question swirled in my mind.

“I did choose you because you're his daughter,” she added, as if plucking the thought directly from my head, “but it wasn’t at his request.”

Once again, she stood in a universe different from the rest of us. Like she could peel back the veil over one’s thoughts without even trying.

“So, what now?” I asked.

She turned her eyes back toward Jayakarta’s horizon. “Teach me how to be a normal girl. That’s all.”

“Is it really that hard for you, Aldelynn?”

She closed her eyes gently. “What do you see when you look at me?”

“You’re perfect. A genius. Beautiful. Everything a woman could wish to be.”

“That’s the problem,” she said, her gaze locking with mine. “Aside from being a genius, I’ve become the benchmark of female perfection. Men approach me with their desire, and women keep their distance out of envy.”

She was right. At first, I had felt that jealousy too. Who wouldn’t? But after Inspector Hartini gave me this mission, the truth started unraveling. This girl wasn’t arrogant—she was trapped. Trapped in a pedestal others had placed her on, where no one dared to meet her as an equal.

“Alright, how about we take a walk around Jayakarta?” I offered.

She nodded. “As long as it doesn’t trouble you, I’d love to.”

She left my apartment. But not ten minutes later, she returned—unchanged. Still wearing the same tank top and shorts, only now with shoes on. Not even the slightest concern for how revealing her outfit was.

“You’re seriously going out like that?” I said, exasperated. “Are you trying to give a free show to every guy out there?”

She shrugged. “I don’t care. Let them look.”

I sighed, smacking my forehead. “Aldelynn, you’re a girl. You should value your dignity a little more.”

“That’s not important. This country is safe and peaceful. And if anyone dares lay a finger on me, I’ll put them down.”

“Wait—do you even know how to fight?”

“I cleared Simulation Level 97,” she replied flatly.

Simulation level... ninety-seven?

I blinked. I had to have misheard.

“A-are you serious?”

She nodded without a trace of pride. “I can take down dozens of people at once. It’s easy.”

 I sighed. There was clearly a misalignment in this girl’s sense of orientation. Did she truly believe that just because she could disable dozens of people at once, it gave her licence to wear whatever she liked?

Had she yet to grasp the sanctity of her dignity as a woman?

“I’ll fetch you some proper clothes,” I said, turning towards the wardrobe.

She returned to the sofa, her gaze once again fixed upon Jayakarta’s skyline, letting out a few long, silent breaths. I attempted to empathise with her indifference towards her appearance, but that didn’t mean it was acceptable for her to walk outside in that state of dress.