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Scene 1: The First Encounter
It began with music.
Not from a device. Not from a screen. But real. Played on a violin beneath the sunlit courtyard near the east wing of Valeiris.
Aeyon had never heard that melody before. It wasn't perfect. A little clumsy. But it was... free.
And he didn't realize he was following the sound until he saw her.
She was sitting barefoot on the grass. Her violin case lay open. She wore an oversized sweater, loose jeans, and her long wavy hair swayed with the wind like it was alive.
When she noticed him staring, she smiled.
> "Hi! Are you lost in the music, or just lost in general?"
Aeyon blinked.
> "I'm... neither. I think."
> "Oh, good. I'm Lucine. Most people call me Lu. But you can call me whatever suits your mood."
> "Aeyon."
She tilted her head.
> "Cool name. Sounds like someone who lives in their head a lot."
He smirked.
> "That's disturbingly accurate."
> "Then maybe I should play louder so you can hear something outside your thoughts for once."
And she began again.
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Scene 2: The Girl Who Wasn't a Puzzle
Later that day, she sat beside him under a tree, sipping bubble tea like it was the most important ritual in the universe.
> "You ever think about how weird this place is? Everyone's either super intense or super secretive. Except you. You just seem... tired."
> "Maybe I am."
> "You should laugh more. Or cry more. Or both. Holding it all in makes you heavy. And trust me, I'm small but I know heavy people when I see one."
Aeyon raised an eyebrow.
> "That's not how people usually talk to me."
> "Good. Normal is boring."
She offered him her drink. He hesitated. Then took a sip.
> "What is this?"
> "Sweet taro milk tea. Comfort in a cup. You need it more than I do."
He didn't realize he was smiling. Not the cold one. A real one.
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Scene 3: Emotions in the Library
That evening, in the old library wing, Lucine found him reading alone. She dropped beside him with a stack of fantasy novels.
> "We're reading today. No mind games, no trauma loops. Just dragons, friendship, and possibly a tragic love triangle."
He laughed. Actually laughed.
She read aloud. She made voices. She cried at the sad parts. And every time Aeyon glanced at her, he saw something that disarmed him more than any psychic battle:
Joy. Uncomplicated joy.
> "You don't fake anything," he said.
> "Why would I? Real feelings are all we've got when the world starts lying."
> "But the world always lies."
> "Then I'll tell the truth louder."
He stared at her. He didn't realize she was touching his hand until he felt it.
> "Even if you're broken, Aeyon, that just means there are more places for light to get in."
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Scene 4: The Unexpected Test
Next day, a surprise logic duel was announced. A battle of deduction and empathy against the rising Architect candidate Lys.
Everyone expected Aeyon to go alone. But he chose Lucine.
> "She has no combat experience," Reva whispered. "She has heart. And that's the one thing Lys doesn't know how to fight," Aeyon replied.
On the battle floor, it was psychological traps and riddles. One involved a choice: sacrifice a stranger to save your friend, or let them both suffer to maintain neutrality.
Aeyon prepared to move. But Lucine stepped forward.
> "I'll take the punishment. Neither of them should suffer."
It shocked the system. Broke the game. Created a paradox.
And in the logic collapse, Aeyon struck.
They won.
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Scene 5: The Quiet Night
That night, they walked under the stars.
Lucine hummed a soft tune.
> "Aeyon, you ever wonder if love is possible for people like us?"
> "Love is a strategy. It's been used against me more times than I can count."
> "Not what I meant. I mean the kind of love that doesn't ask anything back."
> "I don't think I deserve that."
She stopped.
> "Then I'll just have to prove you wrong."
She kissed him. Softly. Not demanding. Just there. Present.
And in that moment, something inside him didn't break. It melted.
A weapon softened. A storm paused. A war paused for just one breath.
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TO BE CONTINUED...