The light from the infirmary window was soft and gold, filtered through the sheer curtain like morning fog. Machines beeped in slow rhythm. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic and dried blood.
Aeris lay silent beneath white sheets, her arms draped limply at her sides. Bandages wrapped her shoulders and legs, bruises blooming like dark flowers across her pale skin. But it wasn't the pain that held her in place.
She was dreaming.
[ Dream Sequence ]
It was cold.Not the cold of winter, but sterile—like metal.
She stood in a white room far too large for someone her size. Her hands were small. Her feet bare. The hum of machines rang overhead, and shadows watched her behind tinted glass.
"Subject VIONNE-05 shows no signs of awakening. Suspend testing."
"No. Wait. Her vitals just spiked—"
She gasped for breath, her small frame collapsing onto the floor.
"Her cells are responding… she's stabilizing."
She wanted to cry. To call for someone.
But the only thing that answered was the dull echo of her heartbeat—and the woman behind the glass saying:
"A failed prototype… but interesting."
Suddenly, she was older. Standing in the middle of a training room. Droids surrounded her, blades drawn. Her hands were red. Her ribs broken. But she stood back up.
Every time.
Because the only thing she had left was the one thing they gave her.
"Endless Death."
And yet, with each revival…Something chipped away inside her.
[ Waking ]
Aeris's eyes fluttered open, breath catching in her throat. Her pupils shrank. Sweat coated her brow.
"Hey… hey, it's okay!" Rin's voice was the first thing she heard. She was seated beside the bed, cradling a warm cup of tea.
Rin smiled gently. "You were having another nightmare."
Aeris didn't speak. She simply turned her head away, gazing out the window.
"...You stood up against Viora," Rin said. "You pushed her back. You scared them. You made them feel something."
Aeris's lips twitched faintly. "...I lost."
"Only for now," Rin said, more serious than usual. "But STAR's not done."
[ The Summon ]
Not long after, a soft chime rang from the tablet beside Aeris's bed.
S.T.A.R. Club – Urgent Notice
"You are both summoned to the Head Principal's office. Immediately."– Ironvale Fort Administration
Aeris and Rin exchanged a glance.
"…What now?" Aeris muttered.
[ The Principal's Office ]
The room was pristine—lined with elegant wood, velvet curtains, and golden lamps. Diplomas and medals framed the walls, each marked with Ironvale's crest.
Aeris and Rin stood before the enormous desk.
But there was no one behind it.
Aeris frowned. "…Is this some kind of prank?"
Rin blinked. "Maybe we're early—?"
"Ahem."
Aeris looked down.
Standing barely above the desk, almost entirely obscured by a stack of paperwork, was a very small woman—perhaps 130cm tall—with snowy white hair tied in a side ponytail. She wore a modern military blazer far too large for her frame and carried a lollipop in her mouth like a cigar.
"If you're done staring," she said, voice sharp and cute all at once, "I'd like to actually start the meeting."
Aeris blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"You're… the principal?"
"Yes. Name's Headmaster Altienne, but you can call me Madam Commander if that makes it easier on your ego."
Rin tried not to laugh. Aeris failed entirely to hide her confusion.
[ The Conversation ]
Altienne sat (with the help of a step stool) behind the desk and slapped a folder down.
"Viora sent in a match report. Quite the mess. You made an impression."
She glanced at Aeris. "Not a good one."
Aeris said nothing.
"But I've had my eye on you, Miss… Alina, is it?"
Altienne leaned forward, sharp eyes narrowing.
"You're hiding something. I don't care what. But if you're gonna light up my battlefield, you better be ready for the spotlight that follows."
Then her tone softened slightly.
"You've got grit. I like that. And you've got friends, too. Not many survive this academy alone."
She turned to Rin. "You did well out there."
Rin bowed slightly. "Thank you, ma'am."
Altienne chewed the end of her lollipop thoughtfully.
"I want to see how far STAR can go. I'm giving you provisional support. But… I expect results. That means both of you better be ready for what's next."
[ After the Meeting ]
Outside the office, Aeris stretched her shoulders with a grunt.
"...She's weirder than I thought," she muttered.
Rin chuckled. "But kinda cool, right?"
Aeris didn't answer.
She looked up at the sky above the glass ceiling. The clouds were rolling in. A storm was coming again.
And somewhere, deep inside, she felt that past she tried to bury was slowly catching up