Night had already fallen over Olympo by the time Vex reached the residential building.
His bracelet vibrated as he crossed the threshold of Block Terna.The doors slid open with a soft hum.No welcome. No symbols.Just stone, silence, and numbers.
Wing Three. Dormitory 03.
He swiped his bracelet across the reader.The door opened.
The room was functional: three beds, three desks, one floating lamp.Nothing special. Nothing personal.Just enough space to breathe… and sleep as needed.
Two people were already inside.
The first was tightening the straps on his boots—dark hair, bronze skin, and fire-red eyes.Vex recognized him immediately.
— "You…" he murmured without thinking.
The boy looked up and gave a calm smile.
— "Told you we'd meet again.Name's Kaen."
— "Vex," he replied, still surprised. "You're in Terna too?"
Kaen nodded.
— "For now."
From the bed by the window, a voice rang out—clear and full of arrogance:
— "Attention, soldiers! The third member of our glorious platoon has arrived!"
Both turned.
Perched on top of a carefully folded pile of clothes was a boy with a wide grin and theatrical gestures.His uniform was perfectly tailored, his cape draped dramatically, and his posture looked like something he'd rehearsed.
— "Elois Varnholt, descendant of Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières, strategist of the Empire, pillar of military honor—And future supreme commander of this generation."
— "Supreme commander… of Terna?" Kaen asked, deadpan.
— "Of course! Every great campaign starts in the trenches.Here, I sharpen my spirit. I observe. I analyze.And then… we rise!"
Vex looked at him, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.
— "You really take this leadership thing seriously, huh?"
— "Not seriously! Sacredly.My lineage has not been forgotten—just… strategically omitted.But fear not, Vex. Despite your gray aura… you are welcome in my squad."
— "Gray aura?"
— "Don't take it the wrong way. It's a poetic way of saying… strange."
Kaen turned to Vex as he sat on his bed.
— "Ignore him. He talks more than the school intercom."
— "Excuse me?" Elois replied. "A good general always communicates.Leadership begins with the voice."
Vex let out a quiet laugh.
"I may be on the lowest rung… but at least I'm not alone."
Kaen laid back on his bed.
— "Get some sleep, commander.Tomorrow… we get baptized."