A massive steel-gray aircraft streaked across the bright sky, hurtling forward at high speed. The friction between its outer shell and the atmosphere created faint sparks, dispersing into the air like an orange-red mist. With a sharp whistling sound, it flashed past and vanished beyond the horizon.
[The aircraft has arrived over Northern 4th District. Current coordinates: 28°25' North, 52°18' East. Estimated arrival at destination in 23 minutes and 28 seconds.]
Inside the cabin, the mechanical broadcast beeped as it echoed throughout. The students in their seats began checking their protective suits and gear. Each suit had an integrated electronic module near the chest, which continuously monitored the wearer's vital signs, providing feedback and alerts.
In the aisle, N—already fully equipped—paced back and forth, ensuring everyone was properly suited and ready. Once everything was confirmed, he finally stopped.
“This trip to the northern region might be the first mission for many of you. As your instructor, I feel it’s necessary to remind you of a few rules.”
“First, while the Federation is powerful, not every corner of the world falls under its protection. The areas you are heading to—Northern 2nd District and Northern 9th District—are prime examples of that.”
“Northern 9th District at least has a rudimentary lower-tier administration that maintains stability in key locations. However, Northern 2nd District does not. Years ago, the Federation announced its withdrawal from the region, urging its residents to evacuate. Yet, many original inhabitants remain to this day. Their status is precarious; the Federation does not outright reject them, but neither does it fully acknowledge them.”
“In these areas, where surveillance systems are nonexistent and riot control units are not deployed to maintain order, public security is nothing like what you are accustomed to. Conflict can arise at any moment. Especially on the desolate roads that stretch for hundreds of miles—if a crime were to occur, investigating it would be near impossible.”
“At night, you must exercise even greater caution. Any lodging offered by strangers should be thoroughly examined with skepticism and vigilance.”
“Though the environment is harsh and presents a challenge for newcomers like you, the task itself is not particularly difficult. Your objective is to follow the directives issued by the Planetary Environmental Management Committee. This involves collecting samples from 683 designated locations marked on your map, as well as documenting any plants, animals, or unusual phenomena encountered along the way. Your efforts will aid in addressing the planet’s environmental degradation in the future.”
“That’s all I have to say. I will serve as your driver during this journey, but unless you face extreme danger, I will not intervene. You must solve all problems on your own.”
“The time is nearly up. I wish you all a safe trip.”
Shortly after N finished speaking, tension began to build among the students in the cabin. The aircraft started its descent, and as vibrations coursed through the fuselage, their adrenaline surged.
A sharp whistling sound cut through the gray sky as the steel-gray aircraft plummeted through the atmosphere, heading toward a ground littered with gravel and rock. With its thrusters reversing for deceleration, the aircraft gradually slowed. It descended amid a swirl of air currents before finally touching down.
At the rear of the cabin, the cargo door slid open, and a towering freight truck, three people high, rolled out. As soon as it exited, the aircraft’s doors sealed shut. It then began a vertical ascent, climbing steadily until it disappeared into the gray expanse of the sky.
“So this is Northern 2nd District? It’s so barren,” Alen muttered, stepping out of the truck in his white protective suit with orange checkered accents. He looked around at the sky and surroundings with a sigh.
The other members soon emerged from the truck’s side doors, stepping onto the hard, uneven ground, their curiosity piqued.
The terrain consisted entirely of gravel, coarse sand, and compacted soil—an endless gray wasteland devoid of greenery.
Years of acid rain had corroded the land, stripping it of its vegetation. With no plant roots to stabilize the earth, the soil had gradually turned to sand and rock, transforming into the barren landscape before them.
“Do we need respirators? The air feels dry,” Dolores asked, gripping the truck’s side ladder with one hand while covering her nose and mouth with the other.
She could no longer wear her usual elaborate dresses, but her black, neatly coiled hair still accentuated her beauty. As the heiress of the Incense Workshop, she had no real obligation to partake in this mission. However, since Thilan had suggested it, she decided to come along.
“Respirators are optional. As long as it’s not the rainy season, the trace toxins in the air aren’t lethal. Besides, we won’t be here for long,” Phyllis replied, holding a device to analyze the air quality.
“So elves aren’t as delicate as I thought,” a short-haired, wine-red-haired team member remarked. Leaning against one of the truck’s tires, he took a swig from his soda bottle.
“Is everyone out?” A familiar voice called from the truck before its owner jumped down.
Thilan’s white and orange-trimmed outfit gave her a sharp and capable look. She moved with agility, her gaze and voice as captivating as ever.
“Everyone should be here,” the group confirmed as they did a headcount.
A total of twelve people had come on this mission—comprising the entire Twilight Ensemble. The girls were Thilan, Dolores, Ruby, Evony, and Iyepher, while the boys included Valk, Alen, Jinzerk, Phyllis, Guro, Simu, and Xelian.
Among them, Alen, Phyllis, and Iyepher were all elves who had known each other prior, with two of them joining the group through Alen’s introduction.
Guro, Simu, and Xelian had met Thilan during firearms training. Later, after witnessing her prowess in a swordsmanship competition, they were persuaded by Alen to join the club.
“All accounted for,” Simu reported to the black-haired girl in the center.
“Then let’s begin our first sampling. This is the first designated site on our task map. We need to collect soil samples, a small amount of air, and measure various environmental indices.”
“No problem.” Though the process sounded complicated, the equipment and AI assistants had already been calibrated. All they needed to do was set things up and later retrieve the data.
“Didn’t think I’d actually have to do hands-on work,” Jinzerk muttered, adjusting his sunglasses and loosening his protective suit to reveal a T-shirt underneath. Carrying a silver case, he sauntered toward an open area, his tone lazy.
“Need help?” Valk, lugging a heavier black steel case, walked up from behind.
“Hey, big guy, just in time. I could use an extra hand,” Jinzerk grinned, immediately feeling less burdened.
With Valk’s assistance, they set up the equipment, then sat nearby, chatting as they waited.
The spherical instrument mounted on a tripod spun its circular tracks, emitting waves that spread outward, automatically collecting data and storing it.
The sampling process took only about 15 minutes. Soon, the team had finished their task.
“Alright, on to the next site,” N called out.
“I was hoping we could stay a little longer,” Ruby mused, adjusting her sunglasses as she gazed at the distant sky, searching for something different.
“Don’t worry. This trip will be anything but dull. That’s my professional opinion as a former senior operative,” N chuckled from the driver’s seat of the freight truck.
As they set off, some members leaned against the windows, watching the unchanging wilderness. Others listened to music, dozed off, or played casual games on their personal terminals.
The first day passed uneventfully. After collecting samples from the second site, they reached the third location by nightfall and prepared to camp.
Then, a soft, faintly melancholic song rose into the pitch-black night.
『In that trace of gentleness, we glimpse』
『The truth of our own weakness』
……
『Gentleness slowly melts away』
『Inside a glass cup』
『Tossed and turned, yet beyond our grasp』
The girl gently closed her eyes, her voice tender yet fragile. In the dark night, specks of phosphorescent light emerged, wavering in the cold wind like candle flames that could be extinguished at any moment. Then, these fireflies swirled, tracing the shape of the wind in the darkness before slowly dispersing.
……
『This world is not as beautiful as it seems』
『Always following a twisted order』
『Yet it cannot deceive the voice within our hearts』
『Because a trace of kindness still lingers there』
『Weakness is what allows us to survive』
The song rippled outward, carried by the night wind into the distance. The world seemed to fall silent. Unknowingly, the people gathered around the campfire also stopped talking, listening to the distant, lingering melody. One by one, they were drawn into the vast and rising galaxy above, as the lonely song continued to echo.
……
『Even now, what is it that I still resent?』
『If I can still move forward, then let me follow the path I long for』
『Oh, cold stars in the night sky』
『Please illuminate and embrace this pain』
『Even if this overwhelming sorrow knows no end』
『Perhaps it will change form and one day shine again』
Though it was her first time singing this song, her clear yet sorrowful voice seemed to carry an infinite depth of sadness and warmth—like someone standing before a dying, devastated planet, reminiscing over the frozen moments of history’s countless tragedies, stirring an uncontainable sorrow.
Long after the song faded, the icy fireflies scattered into the night, and the world returned to silent darkness. Slowly, the girl sitting on the stone opened her eyes, once again gazing at the unchanging, eternal galaxy above before rising to her feet.
Though her slender figure was as small as ever, that silhouette in the night was unforgettable—lonely, sorrowful, fragile, yet unyielding. Unshakable. She was just a girl of their own age, yet there was an undeniable urge to look up to her.
How terrifying, N thought, watching the girl’s silhouette from a distance. He reached up to touch the lingering dampness on his cheek, struck by an inexplicable sense of awe. He wasn’t like these inexperienced children—he had fought his way out of the underground world as a seasoned operative. His mind was supposed to be cold and unshakable. And yet, a single song had sent his emotions surging, even bringing him to tears. It was a direct blow to his reason and perception.
He was not a sentimental person. But if the reason for this reaction wasn’t himself, then that girl in the distance was no ordinary person. And if she possessed such a talent, then did it mean…?
At that moment, realization struck N like a bolt of lightning.
Why was this girl held in such high regard by the board of directors? Was it really just because of her exceptional combat talent? Why had she, as a mere first-year student, already been designated as the next student council president’s successor? Why were her proposals and ideas so effortlessly approved by the academy’s upper echelon?
Suddenly, everything fell into place.
Leaning against the truck at the edge of the camp, N pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and placed it between his lips, inhaling deeply to calm the thoughts and revelations churning in his mind.
And, as expected, it wasn’t long before his personal terminal buzzed in his pocket.
A classified agreement from the board of directors appeared on his screen, awaiting his signature.
“…I’ve really brought along a remarkable student this time.”
Muttering to himself, he pressed his thumb onto the screen, inputting the encryption key linked to his identity chip, and confirmed the agreement.