3rd POV
".... You're really a genius at pissing people off with your talk." Leona growled out.
"Is Idia-San the one who order 'S.T.Y.X' to bring us here as a subject?" Azul asked.
"That's...." Idia muttered.
"The staff of 'S.T.Y.X' are not allowed to disclose this information to outsiders." Ortho said, butting into the conversation. "It's just, except the agents of 'S.T.Y.X' that were being sent to different country. We have information providers all around the world... That's all." The guys hummed softly, thinking of what Ortho had said to them. "Magic Technology Research Institute 'STYX'. We told you that we have been doing variety of research on blots for a long time, right? In particular, we have been focused on doing research to make effective use of Blot in safety."
"Make effective use of Blot... You said!?" Vil stammered, panic rose in him and the others.
"Is that so surprising?" Idia muttered out. "The sustainability of social, environment and economy is being discussed around the world. It's the same with Magic. The 'waste', which is Blots that we produce by using magic could also be one of the important energy resources. We need to recycle important resources.... Right?"
"Energy resources.... Hmm." Jamil hummed out, glaring at Idia.
"For that important research, you will forcibly capture wizards that could be used, huh?" Leona mumbled out. "What a wonderful activity the people from 'S.T.Y.X' have been doing." Sarcasm was practically oozing from Leona's words.
"We feel sorry for taking you here by force without even explaining the matters to you." Ortho said with sympathy. "But.... You guys didn't want to Overblot again, right? Above all, you definitely don't want to be the Phantom's seedbed, right? For that reason, it's important to know about your magic powers and the nature of your Blot. The 'SYTX' Headquarters has the world's latest inspection equipment. You can't get more accurate and detailed data other than this place. It's for your future self too, I hope you will accept this complete examination."
"You just keep saying things that sound nice." Vil sighed out. "The point is, 'You won't let us return to the campus if we don't cooperate with you in data collection', right?"
"... I'm glad you reached a quick conclusion, Vil Schöenheit-San." Ortho said to Vil.
"That's why, let's hurry up and finish this data collection. Look at the tablet in your hand." Idia said as the tablets powered up.
"What are you going to show us after the video?" Azul asked.
"NDA... A non-disclosure agreement. After reading and agreeing with the content, please sign it at the end of the page." Idia answered. "If you register your email address on the form, I will send you a copy of the download address."
"Huh? You brought us here by force and now you're telling us to sign the NDA?" Vil glared daggers at Idia. "Even letting someone with a weapon stay at the same place... This is the same as threatening!"
"Ah~ here it is. They type that will get angry and say 'It won't work!' even though they didn't read the instruction manual for the electric appliance until the end." Idia mumbled out with a sigh. "Can you please don't get into a fighting stance before reading it... This is also a contract to protect you guys. I said it before. If you don't hurt me, we won't hurt you. If you're willing to help us in data collection, we will provide you with the latest care for Blot. The examination takes about 24 hours. You just need to cooperate with us for 24 hours. Then, after the examination ends smoothly, you all will be dismissed happily together. I didn't want to do this kind of job either. I actually want to run the event of my favorite character now. If you want to leave as soon as possible, read it faster and sign it."
"......" The Guys didn't like what Idia had explained to them, but nonetheless, they have no other choice.
"Screw it.... That White Radish Sprouts. He got cocky because we have nothing on us." Leona growled out. "Without this collar, I'd just turn that bastard's hair into sand."
"Ara, Leona. We sometimes have the same opinion." Vil said with a smirk.
~1 Hour Later~
"Excuse me... Are you seriously gonna read every word of the contents to the last page and ask me questions one by one?" Idia huffed out. It was obvious that his patients is running thin.
"If you're signing to something, of course you will do it after agreeing to all the terms." Vil said to Idia.
"Yes, I won't accept it if it's a contract that makes me lose something." Azul added. (A/n: Azul knows a lot about it since that's his job)
"I agree with Vil-Senpai and Azul." Riddle mumbled out. "What if the content that violates the law was included?"
"You guys are really determined.... As expected from the SSR group of 'Unprecedented Problematic Kids'...." Idia muttered out. After a few more hours, Idia breathed out a sigh of relief. "Haa.... Alright, now that I've received all of your signatures, let's start the examination right away."
"The preparation for battle simulator and control desk for observation are ready." Ortho informed Idia.
"Kay. First, all the subjects will be divided into two teams. The first test will go with Subject A, Subject C and Subject E. Next one is Subject B and Subject D." Idia said, turning to the guys. "Ortho, bring A, C and E to the battle simulator."
"Understood. Riddle Rosehearts-San, Azul Ashengrotto-San, Vil Schöenheit-San. Come with me." Ortho said as the three reluctantly followed behind him.
"The remaining two others will be waiting in this room." Idia added. "I'll leave the room too, but if anything happens, please call the staff with the extension phone next to the door."
"Hey, Mr. Deputy Head. Don't you have a menu of light meals that we can order when we're hungry?" Leona's sass was showing when he asked Idia.
"H-Here it is~ Leona Kingscholar~ Unfortunately, we don't have that here...." Idia muttered the last sentence. "Seriously..... Of course you shouldn't eat anything you like during the examination...." And with that, Idia left, leaving Jamil and Leona alone. They sit in silence for a minute before Jamil breaks it.
"Yare yare.... Things have gotten messy." Jamil sighed out.
"Yeah, indeed." Leona muttered out, nodding.
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
"Deputy Head. What about the examination of Subject F?" A Watcher asked Idia in the Hallway. "The medical team reported that he had not awakened from his sleep."
".... Subject F.... Grim-Shi. There are too many uncertainties a out that fluff ball." Idia mumbled out. "The magic he uses is so weak that it can't be compared with all the other five people.... It would be meaningless to even test him with the simulator. For the time being, we should just let him sleep. If he regains consciousness, be sure to report to me."
"Understood." The Watcher nodded as Idia went on his way to the Command Room.
"Subject A, C, E has entered the simulation room along with Ortho." A Male S.T.Y.X Staff Member muttered out.
"Preparation of various data measurements is ready. 2100, recording started." Another Male Staff Member muttered out.
"Ah, testing, testing. This is the operating room." Idia said through a mic. "Can you hear me?"
"This is the simulation room. Quality of sound is good." A Holograph of Ortho appeared and reported to Idia. "The magic power measurement gear has been installed on each Subject."
"Hey, can you guys please stop continuing the story on your own?" Vil's voice was heard in the background. "The moment I thought you brought us to a large room, you suddenly cover me with a big headset, I can't see anything with this."
"What are you going to let us do?" Riddle's voice was heard shortly after.
"Don't tell me.... You are not going to have us fight with each other, right?" Azul's voice added. Idia just simply sighed, shaking his head lightly. (A/n: Idia looks SO DONE with them.)
"We won't let you do that. What you guys are wearing right now is a headset of Magic VR." Ortho explained. "From now on, you will be doing a battle simulation with your enemy in virtual space."
"Battle simulation in virtual space....?" Riddle mumbled out curiously.
"Rather than explaining everything, you would understand faster if you experience it." Idia said through the mic. "Ortho, start it."
"Wait a minute, Idia-San!! Didn't you tell us to read the instructions until the end just now?" Azul said to Idia.
"Understood. Virtual Enemy Mode: Standby."
To Be Continued~
A/n
Alternate Title: IDIA SHROUD BEING A MOOD.
Also, I just noticed something about the two teams while I was playing the new Update of Chapter 6.
Riddle, Vil, and Azul Overblotted because of something in their Childhood. Leona and Jamil Overblotted because they stand in someone's shadow in their entire life. So there's two Main Categories in Overblot Catalyst in the Main Story we've seen so far.
Childhood Events and Overshadowed. Wonder which category of Catalyst would Idia, Malleus, Grim, and Y/n be out into, hm? :)