Araka made her way back to her dormitory. Before she entered her room - the place she spent almost equal time as her actual home - she looked outside, staring at the night sky. The constellation was barely visible under the illuminating cityscape, but she managed to outline something beneath - a vase shape that was known as Hibinotaka (瓶形), which is known for guiding the travelers to their destination. 

Araka then took a look at her hands, thinking: sure, the name Araka - the blue haired runner -  and the term “natural Matake” - the powerful cognitive force that still didn’t have clear origin- had largely been tied together; and the time for her awakening couldn’t be better, as she had been proven to be the only way to counter the encroaching threat of rogue Matake uses; but was every quirk I had since I was three years old related to this undercurrent of power? Or, as Jinlin talked to me earlier - was I still in control of the Matake I have? Or there are consequences that even Huashin or Director Ninfo hadn’t seen? 

Or, what if I turn down the offer when Instructor Anawa asked me: “do you really think you want to join the SAIR?”, which destination will that decision lead to?

—

Wait, what was special about me? I thought. Sure, I do get medals at track and field events; even my family is special; but why would they make me in?

“So I guess with that clarified, we can move on and talk about you, Jan Jun, and we’ll bring Araka in soon,” Huashin said, “so what you stated on your profile is correct, you’re very much into robotics and programming, right?”

“Of course, I do it all the time: drones, rovers, humanoid robots, customized interfaces - though my backpack was too small for my creations. But still, Sukeo can confirm that I run the robotic club.” Sukeo nodded.

“Actually, here in the SAIR, we have a huge line of them, and that is why we brought you in,” Haseku said. “That being said, I was still curious why you applied for the Combat and Rescue branch if you're into fine tech  - at least I couldn’t operate a drone myself before extensive training.”

“Because I want to use them in action,” Jun said, “Before I applied for the interns, I had seen some of the footages of SAIR operations: while I wasn’t exactly sure what the “Combat” part stands for, at least for rescue missions, there should be someone who could both physically strong enough and also understand the tech for that - and I believe I should be able to fulfill that role. Plus, I’m very interested in weapon technology, if that could explain my interest better.”

"I see," Anawa seemed to be impressed by Jun's response, "So I guess we can be more flexible about your assignment after tomorrow’s exam. But still, we have one more left, which is you, Araka.”

I straightened my back and took a sip of the tea. 

“But before we explain why you were brought in, I have a question for you - after going through the entrance exam, do you really think you want to join the SAIR? What do you think you like about the SAIR, or what are some of the holdbacks?”

It was the question that made me think for a bit: indeed, the entrance exam seemed straightforward to me, even too straightforward - but what was the internship actually about? Why does the name of the branch include terms like “Combat” along with “Rescue”, if most of the missions were about rescuing civilians?

“I have … several questions,” I said, “to be honest, while all of the staff was nice enough, I still didn’t fully understand why I was brought in even when I haven’t even met the minimum age? Why would an entrance exam of a government intern program be so complicated? What will I do if I get my internship? Would I be considered a cadet or something for joining in such an organization? Were Mom and Dad fully acknowledged about what will happen? And  - would I continue my normal life after joining the SAIR in school?”

Tenka, Sukeo, and Okuri seemed confused, while Jun tried to stop me: “Hey, Araka, calm down, I think the instructors will answer that one by one, but you don’t have to bring up all of them at once.” However, I didn’t sense any confusion from the instructors, and more specifically, Huashin, the purple haired one, seemed somewhat amused. 

“Wait, Sara-cha, you said you are not fifteen yet?” Tenka asked with her eyes wide open, “you 

“Look I’m still fourteen, and the reason I want to join the SAIR because I think this will fulfill my aspiration - to save people - you know, like Ms. Possible,” I sighed, trying to put everything about myself together, “ Still, I didn’t see it coming that quickly - I even entered here  as a visitor for Jan Jun’s exam, and I didn’t even know what my specialization even was.”

“Ms. Possible?” Sukeo raised his eyebrows, “you mean that cartoon series about a girl with magical power saves the world? You want to be her?”

I nodded. I knew it would sound bizarre.

“Didn’t even realize Araka was like that,” Okuri said, “I thought you’re around the age of Tenka.”

“So Instructor Huashin, may I ask why Araka was included in the entrance exam if she was still 14?” Jun asked.

Huashin, upon clicking on the tablet, took a look at us, and then took a closer glance at me. “I know this topic will sound confusing, but I will let Director Kuu Ninfo explain this in more detail.”

Director Ninfo nodded and continued: “The main reason we include Araka was because she was special - let’s say she had a stronger cognitive ability than others, at least based on her lineage. During the entrance exam, we, the instructive team, noticed Araka’s cognitive ability, especially during today’s simulation, was exceptional even when under strain. In fact, the simulation you experienced earlier wasn’t even designed to make you pass.”

“Sara-cha, you said you beat the simulation, right?”

I nodded.

“So that means Araka’s special ability is actually cognition,” Sukeo said while rubbing his head, “but even with that, why bring Araka in now rather than later?”

This time, it was Anawa who answered: “Because our latest research suggested that Araka was at her optimal age to activate such cognitive ability, and we know very few people fit that criteria.”

Okuri raised his hand: “Does that mean Araka could sense something we couldn’t sense? Like my vision of spotting something further away?”

“That’s the simplest explanation of this power,” Anawa said, “but - her ability was so unique that it was hard to visualize high school students like you.” My instinct told me Anawa clearly was holding back something. 

Just as I was listening to Anawa’s explanation, I suddenly felt a small ripple in my mind - it was from where Huashin was sitting. As I shifted my focus to Huashin, I found her whispering to Director Ninfo, and Director Ninfo nodded. Then, Anawa also turned back and whispered to Director Ninfo, and Director Ninfo, after a few seconds, nodded.

“Instructor Anawa,” Sukeo raised his hand and said, “could you explain it more clearly?”

“That’s right,” Tenka followed while bracing me, “what are you going to do with my friend Sara-cha? And you're also confused, right, Jun?” However, Jun didn’t respond immediately. 

“Okay, fellow students, calm down,” Huashin returned to the conversation, “I get it, and I don't like this type of explanations as well, and I think it’s the time to talk more about it sooner than later, and I hope Director Ku Ninfo would allow me to do so. But please, one rule - do not talk about it after you leave this room to anyone, not even Jinlin and Jinhui. I know you may not like it, but please, I hope you can follow the rule.”

Director Ninfo nodded, and Anawa followed. 

“So here is the thing - there is a thing that we, the SAIR, are constantly trying to fully understand, just like other supernatural phenomena. It is called Matake (魔力)” Huashin said as she showed us her tablet with her pen writing out the word and the spelling. “It is a complex cognitive power that could be activated through certain methods of training and meditation.”

“Is it like me training for archery? Like the more I used my vision, my sensitivity toward targets became sharper?” Okuri asked.

“It is more complex than that,” Huashin said. “Those who have the power of Matake could, let’s say, sense things that are almost impossible to observe only with their eyes. In some way, it was like our brain became a part of the sensory system rather than just processing information, but for those who could really master that power, they can even communicate without opening their lips.”

“Sara-cha,” Tenka said, “I couldn’t believe you’re a real telepath, like the ones mentioned in those urban legends.”

“So Instructor Huashin, if Araka had that, why didn’t Jun have that? If I remembered correctly, many of the traits like this should be passed down by the paternal side?” Sukeo asked, “and more importantly, if I catch your phrase clearly, ‘Matake’ seemed to be something to be acquired, not inherited, and I didn’t even think Araka was trained to do that.”

“And that is why Araka is such a rare case,” Anawa followed, “she is among the only few verifiable descendants of a maternal bloodline that could theoretically have Matake, and more importantly, her cognitive ability was extremely active even without initially controlled activation - which previously we believe only exists in theory.”

“You mean my Mom?” Jun asked in slight disbelief “She has Matake from her bloodline? But why did she never tell us?”

“Because she missed her activation window,” Anawa said, “because we didn’t even know someone could have precursor for Matake power by birth until very recently.”

“So if that were the case, does that mean Araka will be separated from us and train separately?” Okuri asked. 

“Or,” Tenka followed, “will Araka be locked away from us?”

“Actually, that was never the case,” Huashin said, “as I said, although Araka’s Matake power was natural, at this point, she is just like any of you except with episodes of sharpened cognition - meaning she hadn’t processed the actual power of Matake. However, we believe by Araka using her power, we can solve some of the mysteries we’re trying to resolve.”

“So Araka indeed has some of the power Ms. Possible has,” Okuri said, “but it’s more like talking with ghosts rather than ‘purification beams’.”

“So, Instructor Huashin, how could you ensure Araka’s safety?” Jun asked, “I mean, if ‘Matake’ were really that powerful, if someone with unlawful intent acquired the understanding of that power before we do, or Araka was taken by someone else.”

“That was precisely why we brought Araka in before others found out,” Anawa said, “In fact, we have found there were traces of such a thing happening. Araka, I know this may sound too much for you to understand, but to put it clearly we will not force you to join the SAIR - you can opt out if you feel like.”

“Instructor, may I have one more question?” I said.

“Yes, go ahead,” Huashin said.

“What will I be able to do if I join? I mean, I intended to join the Combat and Rescue Branch when I turned 16, and I can run very fast. After all, I guess my mom already knew that if you really talked with my mom.”

Huashin smiled and showed me pictures of some of the operations: “After one year of training, you will be able to send to some missions under the supervision of agents like me and Haseku. Missions include handling perimeter control for incidents, assisting rescue missions, and more importantly, if you’re truly competent, you will also assist arrests and inspection of sites.”

“So the Combat part came from the policing operations?” Tenka said.

“That’s correct,” Haseku said, “and we call it ‘combat’ rather than policing because we may assist different groups - firefighters, police, medical personnel, or even military if necessary, and for full time agents like us, we are also prepared for maintaining social orders.”

“So it’s basically a special police force,” Sukeo said, “no wonder why the information sheet looked familiar, and no wonder this is such a highly valued extracurricular activity.”

“Of course,” Huashin continued, “all of you will actually be well paid for your job, since we know this is something that would take extraordinary courage.”

“So, Araka, it’s up to you - do you really want to join the SAIR?” Anawa said. 

I repeated that sentence in my mind. After several times, an answer floated in front of me. 

“If I indeed have that ability, and if the mission is to prevent bad guys exploiting this ability, then I’m in.”

“Wait, Sara-cha? You - you just decided?”

I nodded as I hadn’t felt more confident than ever: “We just saved Jinhui from danger, and all of you want to join the SAIR because you trust it and you want to contribute your skill to it. My dad once told me that no matter what power or ability one has, it should always be used in an accountable and responsible way that benefits the greater good. If I truly have the power of Matake, then let me use it to save lives and fight against those who abuse it.”

The room went silent for a moment. 

“Wait, Jun, is Araka always talking like this?” Sukeo turned toward Jun and asked. 

Jun didn’t respond. I could sense he was confused by what I said as well.

“Sorry to interrupt - the dinner is ready.”

Then, the door slid open. Jinlin, now returning wearing a Zakumiku, stood outside carrying wooden meal boxes stacked into a tower on her other hand. 

“Director, Captains, Guests, anything that needs help?”

“Just, just place the dinner on the floor,” Huashin answered first, “Araka just happened to express her enthusiasm toward the SAIR internship to us. Also, Araka, can you pass the meals to us?”

I nodded and passed the meal box around. 

As everyone started focusing on the meal, which included tofu and crab cake soup along with grilled fish, I started to think: where did that instinct come from? What “Matake” really was? And what could I even sense if I actually have that power?

“Instructor, if we’re having our dinner, does that mean we pass the interview?” Tenka asked after finishing her bite.

“You still have one more day to go for the entrance exam,” Huashin said, “but to be fair, it’s more of a formality - we have already reserved the slots for all of you - which was extremely rare for internship recruitment.”

“By the way, Araka, may I ask you a question?” Anawa asked.

“Sure.”

“Do you have any idea what would be the weapon you would like to pick for tomorrow's skill evaluation?”

I shook my head: “I haven’t thought much about it, but I was thinking something lighter, that I could carry around, that I could use my senses, your so-called ‘Matake’ - maybe something like a lightsaber, like the ones in the video game Swordedge of Future.”