3.10: Selection.

MC: "The empty desk next to mine is yours... I through it didn't belong to anyone,"

After Jenna leaves. It's just me and Xavier in the room.

He's sitting in his chair, tears some packaging, and hands me half a loaf of bread as I lean on the table.

MC: "The senior employees say the best scouts don't stay in the office. Why are you still here?"

Xavier: "You need to decide."

MC: "Me?"

Xavier: "Whether or not you'll help the Hunters Association find those Protocores."

I nibble the bread. It's dry and bland. I don't understand how he's able to eat it.

MC: "Before that, I want to ask about the thing you called a Flux Nexus."

MC: "You and Captain Jenna didn't say anything about it. The Association isn't even sure it exists. How do you know about it?"

Xavier: "...I don't know a lot about it. I just know its name."

Xavier: "If you want, you can call it a Protocore Nexus, Flux Nexus, or Terrastele if you'd like."

MC: "You're really good at dancing around the problem."

Despite my burning curiosity, I've already been hit with tons of new information. I really need some time to digest it.

MC: "All right. If I do help out, I want to ask about my partner..."

MC: "You're been in UNICORNS longer than me. You probably know more people. Any recommendations?"

Xavier pauses as he's talking another bite, seemingly surprised I'm interested in his opinion.

Xavier: "My advice is that you don't join at all."

I expected as much.

MC: "Actually, I do have something in mind..."

MC: "This is a very important matter. I'll hand it over to Advanced Tech Labs,"

I lift my wrist and send a mission partner repuest to Advanced Tech Labs. The results come back in time.

Hunter's Watch: Based on the current, relevant data, the best candidate is Xavier. Here is a detailed report...

Hunter's Watch: Number of Wanderers eliminated: MC, less than 10. Xavier, calculating...

MC: "... Is there a way to calculate teamwork potential?"

Hunter's Watch: Mission Completion Efficiency: MC, 95%, Xavier, 0,7%.

Xavier: "...Something's wrong with the data."

Hunter's Watch: Period of Employment: MC, less than a moth. Xavier—

Xavier cuts off the watch before it can finish.

Xavier: "This match-requesting system isn't really reliable."

Xavier: "Regardless of what you think. UNICORNS has a lot of ways to get thinks done."

Xavier shoves the last piece of bread into his mouth and stands up

Xavier: "Your Evol might not be their only option. Don't stress about it."

MC: "I'm not feeling stressed. I also don't get why you're telling me to refuse. I have my own reasons if I do help out."

Xavier: "...You might enter a world that's beyond your wildest imagination."

MC: "Has anyone said you suck at persuasion? Funnily enough, you just got me more interested."

Moments later, Xavier sighs, as if he's made a compromise.

Xavier: "I should've known I couldn't scare you away."

MC: "Are you actually trying to make me back out, Xavier? Is that why you're actually here?"

He avoids my gaze.

Xavier: "Maybe I'm here to..."

Xavier: "Convince you to live with no regrets."

Xavier: "Anything involving Onychius is complicated. Who knows if the Hunters Association will refuse to tell you about the dangers that lie ahead."

Xavier: "...I was worried you wouldn't give it much thought and agree right away."

Xavier: "And choose someone else to be your partner."

MC: "I..."

MC: "You think you know me? You're the one who doesn't thinks things thought!"

Xavier: "I see."

Oddly enough, Xavier doesn't argue. Instead, he gives me a surprisingly gentle smile and nods.

Xavier: "If you do get involved in the end, then..."

Xavier: "Could you choose me as your partner?"