Before the reunion, the world always arranges for you to see a choice.
—
First Real-World Deployment: Synovia International University · Alliance Exchange Day
Synovia International University wasn't like the clean, sterile perfection of the Athena simulation.
It was raw. Alive.
Sun-bleached concrete courts.
Graffiti-splattered student boards.
Art majors shuffling through campus in flip-flops.
Engineering students battling over printer queues.
For the first time, Elric wasn't standing within a calculated grid.
He was standing in the middle of messy, crowd—
An observer, not a controlled subject.
A backpack slung over his shoulder, he followed the assigned group into the gymnasium.
Today's schedule was simple:
• Morning: Cognitive Competition
• Afternoon: Optional Mini Pool Tournament
• Evening: Free Time for All
Elric hadn't registered for any events.
He intended to stay on the sidelines.
But as he passed the pool table signup desk, someone called out:
"Hey! Tall guy—you're from System 22, right?"
"We're short one player. You in?"
He glanced at the open slot on the form.
No hesitation.
"Sure."
—
Before the Match: Meeting Her
Inside the gym, makeshift pool tables were lined up,
students gathering around—some filming, some whispering bets.
As Elric leaned down to write his name, the sudden hush of clattering pool balls made him glance up.
A girl stood by one of the tables, balancing a cue in one hand.
Smiling, flushed, a few loose strands of hair across her forehead.
Loose athletic gear, effortless movement—like the world bent slightly toward her rhythm.
"One more round?"
She teased the next player in line, half-challenging, half-grinning.
The announcer's voice cut through the background noise:
"Elric Zane versus Elizabeth Gwynne."
She turned at the sound.
Blinking when she spotted him—then laughing.
"You're Elric?"
"Wow—you don't look like a 'pool shark.'"
He didn't answer.
Just picked up a cue and gave it a slow, measured shot across the felt.
Elizabeth watched, amused.
"Alright," she chuckled.
"Maybe you're not just another library rat after all."
—
During the Match: Challenge Moves
Elizabeth's playing style was chaotic—wild arcs, sudden spins.
She wasn't playing to win.
She was playing like it was a dance only she could hear.
Elric's game was the opposite.
Controlled.
Sharp.
Every strike placed like it had been calculated six moves ahead.
The energy around the table shifted.
Students leaned in closer without realizing it.
The score tightened—
10 to 10.
Final shot—
Elizabeth misjudged her angle.
Her ball slipped past the pocket—right into the arc Elric had long set up.
A quiet ripple passed through the watchers.
She laughed, easy and bright—
Walked right up to him and mock-saluted with her cue:
"Sir, you're officially the last survivor."
Elric gave a slight nod.
But her laugh—
her voice—
stuck with him.
—
Elsewhere: Another Encounter
After the match, Elric drifted toward the edge of the gym.
Someone handed him a bottle of water.
A boy.
Unremarkable at first glance—
T-shirt, jeans, running shoes, and an easy, off-timed smile.
"Nice backhand," the boy said casually.
"Reminded me of someone I used to know."
He dropped onto the bench beside Elric, tossing his backpack aside like they'd been friends forever.
"Idris Vale," he said.
"System C. Just transferred."
Elric nodded once.
"Elric."
Nothing more was needed.
But as Idris twisted open his water bottle,
his gaze flicked—almost imperceptibly—toward the row of hidden surveillance cameras.
Then he smiled and took a sip.
As if he hadn't seen a thing.
One of those people you barely notice at first—
Until much later,
when you realize they were there every time it mattered.
—
Evening · Library Stairwell
Later that night, during the open mingling hours,
Elric ran into her again—
Elizabeth.
She had a canvas bag slung over one shoulder, hands deep in her pockets.
When she spotted him, she smiled:
"You're always on time?"
He nodded.
She shifted the books in her bag.
"Picked out a couple chapters I think you'd find interesting."
"Mind waiting ten minutes?"
Elric replied, quiet but steady.
"I don't mind."
She didn't explain more.
Just left him two simple words:
"Please wait."
——
[Chapter Closing Epigraph]
Not every first meeting has to be loud.
Sometimes, a half-finished conversation,
a match with no real stakes,
is already enough to start a story.
——
[Next Chapter Preview]
Chapter 25 · Most people come close because they want to win.
Only a few come close because they want to understand
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