"Some rise to the top.Others are placed there by design.And one—was left behind."
Scene: Ironvale Fort Academy – Grand Hall
The massive hall echoed with the sound of hundreds of footsteps, chairs scraping, and datapads flicking on.
Banners from the elite school divisions lined the upper balconies:
-OMEGA Division
-TALON Assembly
-VALK Sector
And the most prestigious… ORBITAL CROWN.
Students gathered in uniform lines. This was no ordinary announcement.
This was the Opening Assembly for the student elite clubs—their hierarchy, mission, and structure for the term.
Aeris sat in the middle row, wearing her blank expression.To her left, Rin was half-awake.To her right—an empty seat.
She scanned the stage.
And then—
The lights dimmed.A single spotlight illuminated the podium.
👑 Enter: Viora – Leader of Orbital Crown
She walked forward in silence.
Tall, poised.Her boots tapped in rhythm across polished marble.
Her cape swept behind her uniform, deep navy with silver trim.An insignia rested on her collar: VIONNE-01 — though no one present would understand its meaning but one.
Viora (calm, authoritative):
"Welcome to Ironvale's new term."
Her voice wasn't loud. But it carried.
"Each year, we train not just warriors…but tacticians. Operatives. Survivors.You are not here to become stronger.You are here to prove whether strength is worth anything at all."
Rin (whispering):
"That's Viora… she leads Orbital Crown. Top-ranking club in the academy."
Aeris (flatly):
"I know."
Rin blinked at her.
"You do?"
Aeris didn't answer.Her eyes never left the stage.
Viora (continuing):
"Ironvale was not made for the many.It was made for the few who outlast the impossible."
She paused.
And for just a split second—Her eyes scanned the crowd—
And landed on Aeris.
Only Aeris saw the flicker of recognition.The faintest curl of a smirk.Not cruel. Not warm. Just… knowing.
You're here.
Finally.
Viora (concluding):
"To those who will rise—welcome to the front lines.To those who falter—step aside quickly.And to those… who returned from the dark—I look forward to seeing you again."
Thunderous applause.
But Aeris sat still.Gripping her case just a little tighter.
Cut to: Rooftop Later That Night
Aeris stood alone in the cold wind, her uniform jacket rustling.
The voice from earlier echoed in her mind:
"Dead star.""You were always watching us from below."
She didn't know how Viora remembered.She didn't know why it still made her hands shake.
But one thing was clear.
The VIONNEs were here.And this time…they weren't leaving without finishing what was started