The Trash Returned from Warhammer

”That young lady is in a good mood today.”

In Class 2-A, during the lunch break, Kensuke adjusted his glasses with a look of astonishment as he watched Asuka chatting happily with a group of girls.

Most people were fooled by her ”good girl” act, but he knew Asuka’s personality was actually quite abrasive. In the past, even when she talked to others, there was always a hint of impatience in her eyes. Today was different; she even had the spare time to tutor others on their homework.

”Perhaps she’s excited because she beat me in the synchronization test today.” Shinji pulled out his lunch box and answered casually.

”What? She was able to beat you?” Kensuke found it hard to believe; in his eyes, Shinji was invincible.

”A test is just a test, and a real battle is a real battle. The two shouldn’t be confused.”

Shinji couldn’t have cared less. During the test, his synchronization rate had never exceeded 80%, causing Ritsuko Akagi to doubt her own expertise and spend a fortune replacing the machinery. No matter how she measured it, it stayed at 80%—lower than Asuka’s. From Asuka’s unique perspective of ”winning,” she was so excited that she had cheered out loud.

Aida Kensuke nodded immediately, then asked excitedly, ”When can I be a volunteer again? Is there a chance for me to become a Pilot?”

The last battle against Gaghiel had been an eye-opener. Even though the footage he captured had been deleted by the Intelligence Department, he still constantly replayed the memory of that fluid, seamless slaughter in his mind.

To witness such a brutal battle and still maintain his resolve—his loyalty was truly beyond words.

Shinji nodded with satisfaction. During the battle with the Sixth Angel, he had developed a newfound respect for his little sidekicks, Kensuke and Toji. They hadn’t trembled in fear; instead, they had helped salvage fallen crew members after the battle, undoubtedly fulfilling their responsibilities as ”volunteers.”

Additionally, he had discovered a pattern in this world.

The AT Field of a human was rigid, while Pilots acted like fortresses. In other words, those with thicker AT Fields were more likely to become Pilots. It was exactly here in Class 2-A that every student had a thick AT Field, with Aida Kensuke and Suzuhara Toji being the prime examples.

Clearly, this was an artificial arrangement—concentrating all potential candidates in a single class. What a foolish operation.

Those without psychic powers certainly couldn’t see this, but if the Angels truly possessed wisdom, they would simply detonate Class 2-A, and humanity would lose its ability to counter-attack on the spot.

”There will be opportunities. There are far more than just three EVAs.”

Shinji gave him a sense of reassurance. As for how he knew? Never underestimate a Blood Raven’s talent for light-fingered acquisition; he had already secretly read through all of Ritsuko Akagi’s classified files.

”Really!?”

”Of course. There are several more EVAs under construction. They will always need pilots. This is top-secret, so don’t go spreading it around.”

Shinji glanced at the bespectacled boy, who was nodding like a pecking chick, without taking the concept of ”top secret” to heart. Aside from the existence of SEELE, there were no real top secrets. Didn’t he see Asuka running straight to Rei Ayanami the moment she transferred, shouting ”First Child” for everyone to hear?

However, there was one thing that bothered him significantly.

’The Dummy Plug system, is it?’

From the documents he had swiped, he saw the Technical Department researching a device called the ”Dummy Plug system.” Its stated purpose was to take over piloting when a pilot was incapacitated, though of course, that was merely the surface level. If a pilot’s existence posed a threat, the system could seize control of the EVA. Gendo Ikari was still struggling in his death throes.

His expression turned cold instantly. He knew Gendo wouldn’t be resigned to his fate, yet he understood this wasn’t all on Gendo; the Dummy Plug system stemmed from orders from even higher up—it was a contingency plan made by SEELE.

As his exploration deepened, Shinji realized the complexity of this world. For instance, beyond the EVAs, various nations were researching pure, fully-automatic mechanical weapons called JA. Additionally, word came from Mark that surveillance on him and Gendo Ikari needed to be tightened.

’Why make a simple matter complex, or is it that this matter was complex to begin with?’

He looked at Asuka, who was surrounded by her classmates like stars around the moon, and thought of the embryo he was ”keeping safe.” SEELE was truly desperate; they would dig three feet into the earth if they had to in order to find it.

’It would be a miracle if you ever find it.’

Shinji snorted coldly. Light-fingered acquisition was no great talent; hiding something so thoroughly that the owner could never find it—that was true skill.

”I heard you’re going out with Misato and the others this afternoon?”

As he was thinking, a cool voice reached his ears; Rei Ayanami had come to his side.

”Yes. I’m going to Old Tokyo to attend the machine unveiling ceremony of the Joint Heavy Chemical Industries Association.”

Shinji didn’t hide it. Seeing Kensuke prick up his ears, he explained, ”Jbt.Alone, or JA for short, is a remotely controlled combat robot. It’s, well, closer to the mecha you’ve imagined.”

’EVAs aren’t robots; they are bio-weapons with souls.’

”Something like Gundam?” Toji sat up straight, remembering an anime about a white devil.

Shinji didn’t watch anime and didn’t know what Gundam was, but he nodded. ”I suppose that’s about right.”

A giant robot—this clearly fit the ”chuunibyou” fantasies of middle schoolers, but they weren’t stupid.

”So, that means it’s a competitor to the EVA?”

”Yes. But to defeat the Angels, humanity needs this kind of competition—to take from each other’s strengths to patch their own weaknesses.”

”This... is that really necessary?”

”Do you think it’s simple for me to defeat the Angels?” Shinji turned stern immediately. A qualified Astartes would never underestimate any enemy. ”Every Angel is powerful and has different characteristics. You must never let your guard down.”

Each Angel was distinct, and there was a gap in strength between them. The Gaghiel’s AT Field was the weakest, but its massive size created a characteristic of pure physical endurance.

Furthermore, the Angels were constantly evolving. The Third Angel was clearly the strongest, yet it acted like a mindless puppet. The Fourth had learned technique, the Fifth had learned tactics, and the Sixth had learned to use the terrain. This was clearly an evolution. If the Third Angel had possessed techniques, tactics, and terrain awareness, humanity would have been finished at the very start.

Seeing his solemnity, the others became serious as well. Shinji seemed to possess a certain magic; if he said it was difficult, then the fate of humanity was certainly difficult. But as long as he was there, all difficulties would be resolved.

”Are you an idiot? Just blurting out classified intel like that?” Asuka walked over, seemingly having caught Shinji in a blunder.

”It has no impact. It doesn’t involve secrets that would throw the world into chaos.”

Shinji certainly knew what should and shouldn’t be said. For example, he wouldn’t tell ordinary people the truth about the Second Impact. He paused, then retorted, ”And you have

no right to criticize me. Two days ago, you were the one shouting ’First Child’ at the top of your lungs. That violated Confidentiality Code S7-135.”

’You!’

Asuka gritted her teeth, unable to argue back. What was most infuriating was that she couldn’t beat him in a fight and couldn’t win an argument. Who in the world would actually memorize an entire stack of security manuals?

”This is lunch for you and Rei. I’m off to meet Miss Misato. Please ask the teacher to excuse me.”

Shinji placed the two lunch boxes on the table and stood up to leave under the murderous glares of his male classmates.

”Why is he skipping class?” Asuka pointed at the boy’s retreating back.

”Didn’t you just hear? Why ask when you already know?” Rei looked down, eating her broccoli. She had noticed long ago that Asuka was eavesdropping. She spent all day acting like ”I don’t hang out with little kids,” yet her attention was entirely fixed on Shinji.

Caught in the act, Asuka couldn’t save face. She didn’t respond; she immediately pulled her phone out of her bag, only to have it pinned down.

”What are you doing? If I don’t call Miss Misato now, I won’t be able to catch up.”

Asuka was very annoyed and wanted to pull away, but found that Rei had surprising strength.

”Ikari-kun didn’t ask you to go.”

”Tch, why should I take orders from him? Are you letting go or not?”

Asuka was getting angry. The others nearby were watching but didn’t dare to intervene. Rei remained as cool as ever, but her crimson eyes carried a hint of simmering anger, with no intention of letting go.

”Asuka, don’t do extra things. Just listen to his orders.”

Every word was enunciated clearly, leaving no room for negotiation. Asuka was stunned; she had never expected this ”doll” to get angry, and with such overwhelming presence that it instantly crushed her own.

After a stalemate for a moment, Asuka finally released her phone and turned her head away.

’Hmph. If I’m not going, I’m not going. Why the fierce attitude?’

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