Scene: A day before the second match — Ironvale Fort Academy, evening
The sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow over the glass ceiling of the Academy's training wing. Most students had already returned to their dorms, but inside a reserved engineering lab tucked at the back of the school…
Clang.Snap.Ssshhh—boom.
A small pop of smoke erupted from the corner table where Aeris was crouched, tightening the last screws into a strange-looking gun part.
Aeris (muttering):
"If the casing delays the ignition… it'll trigger mid-air."
She stood back, analyzing the half-assembled rifle on the table.
It was no longer the standard SKS-45 she carried before.Now, it had a wider barrel, a collapsible blade built into the front, and a glowing module under the scope.
An upgrade she'd built herself.
Explosive-air ignition bullet. A shrapnel-type round that bursts before impact—ideal against kinetic shields like Viora's.
Her fingers tightened slightly at the memory.
"I'll crack that smug shield of yours."
Across the room, Rin was working with her own pile of parts, her mouth slightly open in focus. Tools were scattered around her: wires, stabilizers, and… a bowstring?
Aeris tilted her head.
Aeris:
"You're modifying your gauntlets?"
Rin (smiling):
"Nope. Upgrading."
She held up a recurve hybrid bow—but the limbs of the bow curved inward again into small grip extensions. When she pressed a latch, the limbs split open like arms, revealing folded blades tucked inside.
Rin:
"Long-range arrows, but if they rush me—snap the limbs, flip the core, and boom—dual blade mode."
Aeris (impressed):
"That's… smart."
Rin:
"Learned it from losing. And watching you fight like a monster."
Aeris blinked.
Rin (grinning):
"That's a compliment."
Aeris turned back to her table, quietly adjusting a second tool. A compact riot shield, smaller than regulation size, lay beside her rifle. Reinforced edges. Curved glass center. Foldable frame. Something she could carry in one hand if needed.
Her goal wasn't just to fight—it was to survive long enough to land a single clean blow.
Rin (softly):
"You're really going all in, huh?"
Aeris didn't answer right away.
She stared at the glowing bullet she'd just finished.
Then nodded.
Aeris:
"I don't care about winning. I just don't want her to walk away untouched."
Rin:
"...You say that, but I think you do care. Just not in the way you think."
Silence settled again.
Until Rin pushed a small wrapped bun into Aeris's hand.
Rin (casually):
"If we die tomorrow, you'll regret not eating something sweet."
Aeris (dry):
"…I can't die."
Rin (smirking):
"Exactly. That's why you take the front."
They both laughed, just a little. Quiet. Nervous. But together.
Outside, the school bell rang softly in the distance—marking the end of the day.
Inside the lab, two girls stood side by side, their hands coated in dust, oil, and ambition.
Ready.