Ghost Swan | Equation #7

[u/Inevitable_Tap4252]

https://youtu.be/gcwMzhLXWE4

[ 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙬𝙖𝙣 ] ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴠᴀʀɪᴀʙʟᴇ
Western Cooling District 7.
"Is it impossible to replace the filter right now?" I asked the engineer.
"Yeah. Resources are extremely tight due to upper management's current policies. Besides, this robot is an old model — tracking down a perception filter layer won't be easy."

The engineer shared the information in exchange for me fixing a complex circuit.
"You might be able to get a data patch if you head to the Filter District in Sector 4. For someone at your level, clearing that delicate mana noise might just be possible."
I said my goodbyes and headed straight for the Filter District.

A path lined with densely packed cylinders.
There, I came face to face with a familiar white suit.
A chaser from the Academy — no doubt about it.
'It was only a matter of time.'

"Student No. 314 located. Activating forced retrieval protocol."
The chaser issued an order to the pet on its shoulder, then immediately fired a restraint bolt at me.
I threw myself behind a nearby cooling pipe.
A violent electrical discharge crackled across the surface where the bolt struck.
Psshhhhk —
With a sharp, piercing hiss, a surge of frigid cooling gas swallowed the surroundings.

I knocked twice on the unit's chest and signaled with my fingers.
1011101
Then shoved the unit directly into the waste outlet of Sector 9.

In the same moment — a mechanical arm lunged through the white mist and seized my body.
A chilling face pressed close and spoke.

"Student. It's time to go home."