At breakfast, Bert was the first of the Grantz to crowd around Ye Muo, inspecting every inch of him instead of eating. This went on until Sylvia saw that Bert was going to test how much Ye Muo had improved after his cocooning period right here in the dining room. She finally had enough and pulled him aside, ushering all her other children back to the dining table.
Perhaps with the memory of the last time Sylvia disciplined Bert fresh in their minds, the Grantz were on their best behaviour for the rest of the meal. Breakfast was much quieter than usual.
Norton was the first to finish and leave his seat.
Ye Muo got up as well and followed the man out of the room. Norton slowed his pace slightly. Although the cocooning period was over, Ye Muo had grown used to following him around.
They arrived at the study. As usual, Norton got to work and Ye Muo sat down at his desk next to the man’s. Adlet had been thoughtful enough to replace Ye Muo’s desk with a larger set at some point. It was still just as close to Norton’s as before.
The study was surprisingly quiet with just the two of them.
For some reason, Bert and the others failed to arrive soon after like they usually did.
A while later, Ye Muo reached over to Norton’s desk for his candy jar.
Norton glanced his way. “Three pieces.”
Ye Muo’s hand paused. He gently reminded, “It was five before.”
Norton set down the file he was holding and turned to Ye Muo. “You’re past your cocooning period now.”
Ye Muo ate a normal amount at breakfast as well, meaning he should decrease his sweets intake proportionally.
Norton thought to himself.
Ye Muo paused before raising four fingers. “One more?”
Ye Muo wasn’t particularly obsessed with these gummies in all honesty. Although they were really tasty, the Ye Muo from before would never voice such a request and do as Norton stated. Yet something made him ask today.
Norton glanced at the jar for a few seconds before sighing imperceptibly and getting back to work. “Just this once.”
Some time passed before the others gradually filed into the study. The space became more lively as usual.
Bert made a beeline for Ye Muo as soon as he came in to squeeze his shoulders and arms.
“Not bad.” He commented, “You’re much sturdier than before.”
He was using a bit too much force, but Ye Muo did shy away. He ducked his head a little at first before letting Bert do as he pleased.
Bert patted him on the back, a bit regretful. “You would’ve been screaming for Norton and tattling to him by now. Ano must have been the one to lead you astray.”
Ye Muo flushed a bit as the crystal clear memories from his cocooning period came flooding back to him. However, he quietly insisted, “Ano didn’t do that.”
“Sure.” Bert replied.
He was going to tease Ye Muo a bit more, but Norton was already looking this way.
Bert let go of Ye Muo and sobered up. He raised his hands to show he had let go. “Alright, let’s get down to business.”
Secretary-General Lin, who had come in with them just now, adjusted his glasses and opened the folder he had brought along. “The centralization plan started last week is proceeding smoothly. The military is fully in place, 80% of civilians have been evacuated, and all production lines are operating normally.”
“As for the newly arrived Federation, it was decided after further discussion that they will settle on a planet on the southern side of Grantz territory, a key part of the line of defense that borders the most nations as per their request. Several planets Grantz uses for training are also nearby for their students to use.”
“Protection of the Exile Sectors will be handled by the other outsider faction, the Empire.”
Helene scoffed disdainfully at that.
“Analysis of the mech technology is ongoing. The first batch from our production lines is currently being put into service. Additionally, our technicians are cooperating with the Federation to create mecha that can be equipped with psychic weapons.”
Secretary-General Lin closed his folder as he concluded, “We are ready to face the Plague at a moment’s notice.”
Bert nodded. “The other tasks like patrols can be handled by Dylan and the others. Now, let’s talk about the education of the next generation.”
Everyone turned to him at that.
Bert conitnued, “You were all homeschooled before your psychic development periods due to the risk of losing control, which isn’t a problem for Xavier. He was enrolled in a military academy before and I see no reason why he can’t go back.”
“He’s a big kid now, not a toddler we can leave to occupy himself. We’ll be quite busy in the near future anyway. Even if he was a toddler, we would have to find Xavier a daycare so he isn’t so bored he tends to his vegetable patch all day.”
Ye Muo straightened. He couldn’t help but say, “I wouldn’t mind that, actually…”
He tentatively took in Norton’s reaction.
Norton remained silent, basically meaning he gave his seal of approval. He knew Ye Muo enjoyed his time at school. He had made a similar request when he first came to the palace.
Besides, the academies were all in the safest district of the centralized city built around the palace. Several of them had even been merged into one school on the outskirst of the central area, meaning Ye Muo could come home everyday.
Norton turned to Ye Muo and asked, “Do you want to go? Under current circumstances, you’ll be able to come home everyday.”
Jacob touched his chin. He was very knowledgeable about this as the one responsible for the integration of that part of the capital centralized city.
The military academies normally only allowed pupils to go home during the holidays, but that was changed in light of the current situation. One reason was the shortened commute time within the centralized city, another was to allow the student to go home and get some reprieve from the wartime atmosphere. However, the majority of students still chose to stay on campus in their dormitories.
By now, Jacob felt that the measure was as much to reassure the parents as it was for the children.
Ye Muo was excited and nervous. “I do want to go. Big Brother Ye Yun should be there too. I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve seen him. He’s definitely angry at me. But it’s been so long since I’ve been in school…all my schoolmates are now in year two. I wonder what they’re like now or what classes they’re attending.”
Norton tidied Ye Muo’s bangs out of habit before stroking his head to comfort him like before. “No need to worry.”
Jacob came over to add, “Right now, students spend half of their day in class and the other half training under wartime procedures. The classes are the same ones you attend at home, but subjects like etiquette should be temporarily suspended. The training isn’t all that different either. It’s meant for little kids, after all.”
Ye Muo nodded emphatically as he turned to his terminal. He let Lady Ye know first like he was supposed to before telling Ye Yun and Ye He. Then he focused his attention on that school group chat from before.
