I was dreaming.
In a barren place filled with corpses, under a crimson sky with a pitch-black moon, a cold wind bit through me, making my skin crawl. The atmosphere was stifling, like the very end of the world.
I sat beneath a single tree... forced to witness it all, to watch this bizarre tragedy unfold before I saw him.
A man who shone as brightly as the sun. He held a holy sword that radiated an overwhelming heat and a light so blinding it felt like it would sear my retinas if I looked too long. Yet, standing before that radiant man, a figure clad in black robes laughed hysterically. The laughter was that of a pure maniac.
All around them, various creatures—indescribable in their horror—were devouring one another. Above the carnage, a giant eye hovered, observing everything. That eye carried a profound weight of sadness and rage, and a single tear fell from it—a tear containing thousands, perhaps millions, of alien souls.
I tried to turn my face away, overcome by discomfort, but my neck was stiff, as if locked by invisible chains. The sight forced my soul to swallow every bit of the horror.
The shining man raised his sword, lunging toward the black-robed figure. The collision between holy light and abyssal darkness created a shockwave that obliterated the remains of the tree behind me. The world began to crack, shattering into pieces like glass struck by a sledgehammer.
Just before everything vanished, the giant eye in the sky moved. Its vast, obsidian pupil spun, then focused... directly on me.
"You've finally come... I have already..."
The voice didn't reach my ears; it echoed directly within my mind. An excruciating pain pierced through me, as if thousands of white-hot needles were stitching my torn memories back together.
[ DETECTING HOST CONSCIOUSNESS ] -----> [ FAILED ]
[ REVIEWING ERROR ] -----> [ FOUND ]
[ INITIATING OPERATION CODE #211543 ] ------> [ SUCCESS ]
[ REBOOTING CONSCIOUSNESS ]
"Ugh-!"
My eyelids snapped open.
The first thing that greeted me wasn't the terrifying red sky, but a pristine white ceiling adorned with luxurious gold carvings. The sharp scent of antiseptic and a faint fragrance of black roses immediately filled my nostrils, replacing the stench of blood from my dream.
I tried to breathe, but my chest felt incredibly heavy, as if a massive boulder were pressing down on it. Cold sweat poured from my temples, soaking the silk pillow beneath my head.
My vision was still blurry, pulsing in time with my unstable heartbeat. I wanted to move my hand, but every muscle in my body felt... dead. Not dead from a wound, but from an extreme tension that caused them to refuse my commands.
I could only lie there silently, staring blankly at the ceiling, while in the corner of my vision, a dim blue screen began to flicker back to life.
[ SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE : 100% ]
[ GOOD MORNING, HOST. ]
"...."
Maybe it was just my imagination.
____________________________________________________________
"..huff..."
A ragged sigh escaped Edward's lips.
[ GOOD MORNING, HOST. ]
The white text against the translucent light-blue background was still there, floating before his eyes. The word 'Morning' felt like a mockery to him, but he didn't care enough to react.
"...For some reason, I can't move my body..."
As Edward spoke, the text shifted and replied
[ PHYSICAL CONDITION: RIGIDITY ]
[ CALCULATING OVERDRIVE SIDE EFFECTS ] ---> [ 100% ]
[ ADVICE: DO NOT PERFORM ANY HEAVY OR SMALL ACTIVITIES FOR THE TIME BEING. ]
"...."
His eyes looked like those of a man refusing to accept reality. Just then, the sound of someone entering the room broke the silence.
"....Ah! You're finally awake!"
"...?"
"Please wait a moment, I'll call the Doctor immediately!"
The nurse ran out so quickly she left the door hanging open. From his hospital bed, Edward could only stare at her retreating figure and wait for what would happen next.
______________________________________________________________
"How are you feeling now, Cadet?"
"....I feel an incredible amount of pain and stiffness."
"That is a natural reaction."
The Doctor arrived within minutes of the nurse's departure. Looking at his body's condition, Edward could only conclude one thing: he, who had been humiliated by the instructor, had actually suffered a total defeat. In terms of technique and experience, it was like a four-year-old child trying to fight an adult.
"For now, rest until your condition improves. It would be best if you stop any unnecessary movements that could worsen your injuries."
"..."
Actually, right before the Doctor arrived, Edward had tried to get up and sit, but he was immediately barked at. "What are you doing, you idiot!" was the exact scolding. Perhaps because he had never been this badly hurt before, Edward was confused about what to do if even moving was forbidden.
Several nurses came and went, bringing tools and materials the Doctor needed, along with a slip of paper containing a prescription and a medication schedule.
"Tell the nurse guarding you to follow the instructions on this paper later."
"....Thank you, Doctor.."
"Thank me by resting." The Doctor sighed and checked Edward's condition one last time.
"I don't know what made you push yourself that far... but if you can't do it... don't force it. You'll only break yourself."
"...But... that training is vital for my school life.."
"Is that your only problem? Come on, problems should be solved with solutions, not by destroying yourself."
The Doctor paused for a moment, looking at Edward with an unreadable gaze, a mix of pity and suppressed admiration. He straightened his white coat, preparing to leave.
"Training is important," the Doctor said, adjusting his glasses.
"But you won't be able to graduate if you die in the middle of the arena. Remember that."
Edward could only blink slowly. His gaze drifted back to the translucent blue screen still floating in the corner of his eye. The text was so static, so clear, following his every ocular movement.
"But Doc..." Edward's voice was hoarse.
"About this floating message service... is this new technology for the VIP Ward? I admit, it's very helpful for monitoring my own condition, even if the content is a bit sarcastic sometimes."
The Doctor's footsteps stopped abruptly at the doorway. He turned slowly, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Floating message service? What are you talking about?"
"That thing" Edward pointed with his chin toward the empty space in front of him.
"The blue screen displaying my physical status. Is it part of the hospital's diagnostic magic? It's very futuristic. Thank you for the facility, Doctor."
Silence blanketed the room for several seconds. Suddenly, the Doctor chuckled—a dry laugh escaping his throat.
"Hahaha! Floating messages, huh? Well, Cadet, it seems the blow to your head really triggered a creative imagination. Side effects of painkillers can sometimes cause visual hallucinations, but this is the first time I've heard of a patient mistaking their hallucination for a hospital service."
The Doctor shook his head, smiling in amusement.
"A great idea for a future facility proposal, but unfortunately, we still use pen and paper here. Rest up, and don't daydream about 'blue screens' too much, or I'll be forced to refer you to the psychiatry department."
With a casual wave, the Doctor left and closed the door, leaving Edward in a suffocating silence.
Edward froze.
"Imagination? Hallucination?"
He looked back at the blue screen that still faithfully accompanied him.
[ ANALYZING HOST RESPONSE. ] ---> [ NEGATIVE ]
[ NOTE : ONLY THE HOST CAN SEE THE SYSTEM INTERFACE. ]
"...How come," Edward hissed quietly before finally deciding to go back to sleep.
_________________________________________________
One week had passed since I was admitted to the Class S ward.
I don't know how they did it, but thanks to them, I had recovered from several of my severe injuries. My head was bandaged, as was my right leg...
I have to use crutches for the time being.
"I suppose skipping physical education for a while is possible."
Considering the physical injuries I suffered are quite severe, I should be able to avoid Melissa for a while and think of a strategy to stay safe when Episode One begins. But that's the problem. I can't just keep relying on my brain; I also need to train my muscles and techniques. But with a body injured like this... it feels impossible...
[ HOST, IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO GIVE ME A NAME. ]
Also, this floating message keeps following me everywhere. At first, I thought it was a service provided by the Class S ward, but I was wrong. This is the 'System' that often appears in the novels and comics I used to read.
[ PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE ME. ]
"...It's not that I'm ignoring you..."
How should I put it... if I talk to this system in the medical room, I'll be considered as still suffering from the effects of painkillers. And what happens next is I'll be given even more drugs. I've experienced it twice now, and it's not happening again.
"Wait until we get to my room... then I'll give you a name."
[ COMMAND RECEIVED. ]
[ THANK YOU, HOST. ]
I didn't exactly mean it as a command... but whatever. I suppose walking while watching the sunset with a system in front of you isn't so bad.
"It's been such a long day..."
"Do you think so?"
"...?"
That voice... sounded like a child's.
"Does enduring that pain make you think about giving up?"
"..."
I turned to see the person who spoke.
"I think you still need to train harder. By the way, the 'you' who dueled Instructor Alaric was much more impressive than the 'you' who first entered the academy."
"...You are..." My eyes widened in shock at the person I saw.
"..Hm? What's with that look?"
Bright blonde hair shining under the setting sun... red eyes like those of a wild beast that could prey on anything.
[ DANGEROUS UNIT DETECTED! ]
[ NAME: VESPERIA DRACONIA ]
[ RACE: DRAGON ]
[ GENDER : FEMALE ]
[ AGE: 125,000 ]
[ THREAT STATUS: HIGH LEVEL ]
[ ADVICE: RUN AND HIDE IMMEDIATELY ]
"...My apologies.."
None other than... this little child wearing strange wizard clothes was the Headmistress of Ardenfield.