Scene: Ironvale Academy – Observation Tower, Restricted Access
Far above the dormitories, past sealed-off stairwells and unused security checkpoints, a narrow tower loomed over Ironvale's central building. Few students knew it existed. Even fewer were allowed to enter.
Inside, a single monitor glowed.
It displayed footage of the arena match—paused on a close-up of Aeris's distorted expression just before her second strike on Carmine.
A gloved hand reached forward… slowly tracing the screen.
"There she is…"
The voice belonged to a girl—elegant posture, pristine uniform. Her long silver hair was pulled into a braided loop, and her eyes gleamed coldly behind rimmed lenses.
Subject Code: VIONNE-02
Alias: Lucienne Varelle
She stood alone—except for the silent drones hovering around her, like metal insects waiting for commands.
Behind her, a professor in a lab coat adjusted his glasses, uncomfortable under her presence.
Professor:
"As expected… Subject-05 has awakened."
Lucienne smiled faintly.
Lucienne:
"She was always a mess of failed impulses and unstable rebirth. But this… this is new."
Professor:
"Should we notify VIONNE-01?"
Lucienne (quietly):
"No. Let me have this one, Prof."
Her fingers hovered over a control pad, and she zoomed into Aeris's face. Pixel by pixel, glitch distortion flickered faintly.
Lucienne:
"She's bleeding through. That decay... that stench of dying stars."
The professor cleared his throat.
Professor:
"If I may—she's infiltrated under the alias Alina. Should we expose her to the administration?"
Lucienne shook her head slowly.
Lucienne:
"No. Let her stay."
Lucienne (darkly):
"I want to see if the 'Dead Star' still knows how to burn."
Scene Shift: Academy Library – Next Morning
Aeris walked quietly between the rows of ancient texts and digital readers. Her hoodie was replaced with her academy uniform, and her hair loosely tied.
She wasn't here for books. She was tracing rumors.
A few strange disappearances had started recently—top students from other clubs failing to show up for classes. The faculty chalked it up to stress or transfer, but Aeris had seen the signs before.
Tracking behavior. Elimination patterns. Quiet cover-ups.
She turned a corner—and stopped.
Someone stood there already. Looking at her.
A tall girl in silver-trimmed uniform. Sharp posture. Silver braid. She held a data tablet in one hand and a faint smile on her lips.
Lucienne:
"You're from the STAR club, yes? Alina… Velth, was it?"
Aeris (guarded):
"…Who's asking?"
Lucienne tilted her head.
Lucienne:
"Just another interested student. You made quite the impression in your last match."
Aeris:
"I wasn't trying to impress anyone."
Lucienne (smiling wider):
"Of course you weren't. The Dead Stars never try to shine, do they?"
Aeris flinched and took small knife from under her sleeve.
Only for a second.
But Lucienne noticed.
Lucienne (softly):
"Oh. That was you. How delightful."
Aeris's grip on the knife was very tight.
Aeris (cold):
"Do I know you?"
Lucienne:
"No. But I know what you are."
A beat passed.
Then Lucienne stepped past her, voice low as she walked.
Lucienne:
"Be careful, Alina. Some stars are meant to collapse. But others... boom."
She vanished around the corner.
Aeris stood frozen. Then slowly exhaled.
Her pulse was faster than she liked.
Scene Shift: Faculty Conference Room – Later That Night
Behind closed doors, a group of elite staff reviewed student surveillance.
On one screen: Alina Velth.
On another: a list of Club Leaders and VIONNE Watchlist Candidates.
Lucienne stood at the side of the room. Watching. Listening.
And smirking.