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Faulty Contract
Chapter 12 – Undesired Variables
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One week after the test.
The academy returned to its normal rhythm.
On the surface.
But the internal monitoring system had doubled.
Not publicly.
Only access permissions were adjusted.
Rei noticed on the third day.
Response time from the coordination center increased by 0.4 seconds.
Cameras followed him 17% more.
Insignificant.
But deliberate.
---
The formation training session was held unexpectedly.
No more solo exercises.
No more independent survival.
This time: four-person coordination.
Rei was assigned with three third-year students.
No one objected.
But no one was happy either.
The temporary team leader was Lira.
Combat focused on long-range attacks.
She looked at Rei for a few seconds.
"You hold the front line."
Rei nodded.
No argument.
---
Simulation began.
Terrain: urban ruins.
Sightlines were broken.
Opponents: semi-mechanical beast fiends.
Not strong individually.
But very dangerous when combined.
First minute—
Rei intended to break their communication point.
But Lira ordered:
"Hold your position!"
He stopped.
Quick analysis:
If broken early → formation more stable.
If held → structurally safer.
Rei chose to obey.
---
Third minute—
The formation was pushed toward the wall.
A member in the back panicked.
Activated a skill too early.
Exposed their position.
Two beast fiends charged.
Rei could:
1. Leave position, save that person, break the formation.
2. Hold the line, reduce overall casualties, but that person would be eliminated from the simulation.
Analysis time: 0.8 seconds.
Rei moved.
Not following the overall optimal plan.
He pulled the person out of the blind spot.
Accepted an exposed flank.
One strike hit his shoulder.
Lira immediately covered the position.
Formation disrupted for 3 seconds.
But did not collapse.
---
Observation room.
An instructor said:
"He just abandoned optimization."
Elias did not respond.
He just looked at the biometric data.
Rei's heart rate increased by 6%.
Not from pain.
From decision-making.
---
Seventh minute—
Rei suggested:
"Switch to an inverted V formation. Reduce blind spots."
Lira hesitated.
Before, she wouldn't have listened.
But this time—
She nodded.
"Do it."
Formation changed.
Effectiveness increased noticeably.
Twelfth minute—
Simulation ended.
No one was eliminated.
---
When the doors opened—
The previously saved person looked at Rei.
"Thank you."
Rei replied shortly:
"No need."
"But you got hurt because of me."
Rei looked at the blood on his shoulder.
"Acceptable."
A very normal answer.
But not quite the same as before.
---
After the training—
Lira stopped Rei.
"Why did you leave your position?"
"Individual risk was lower than the team's psychological risk if a member is lost."
Lira blinked.
"You factored that in?"
"Data from previous events."
She was silent.
"You… are learning how to work in a team?"
Rei didn't answer immediately.
"…Maybe."
---
Night.
Rei reanalyzed the third-minute decision.
Initial calculation:
Holding position = 3.2% more effective.
But after adding variables:
> Team morale
Level of trust
Long-term stability
Results changed.
The chosen option became optimal within the expanded scope.
Rei looked at the new data stream:
> Optimization isn't just an instantaneous number
Time and perception are factors
He made a note:
> Expand the definition of "efficiency"
---
At the same time—
Outside the academy.
A hoarse man looked at the training report.
"He chose to save his teammate."
"For social factors."
"Not entirely."
The man smiled lightly.
"He's redefining his own system."
"So the plan?"
"Put him in a situation with no correct answer."
---
Next morning.
Urgent announcement.
A research item transport convoy lost contact near the Black Forest border.
Not inside the academy.
Not a simulation.
Field operation.
A mixed team was dispatched.
On the list—
Rei's name appeared.
Lira was also included.
Elias was the supervising officer.
---
When the list was announced—
A student whispered:
"This time it's real."
"No scores."
Rei looked at the bulletin board.
No simulation.
No 15-minute limit.
No control core to shut down.
Only an unknown situation.
An internal status line appeared:
> Environment: Unknown
Variables: High
Risk: Real
Rei did not feel anxious.
But there was a new signal—
Not fear.
Not excitement.
It was… anticipation.
---
End of chapter.
Hidden status board:
> Rei (零)
Coordination ability: Increased
Absolute personal priority: Slightly reduced
Displays choices outside immediate optimization
Classification: [ERROR – DEVELOPMENT]
Arc 2 continues.
And this time—
The problem was no longer in the simulation room.
But in a place where no one could ensure all variables were controlled.