Carthaki Experimental Secondary School
2162
1:48 PM
...Now let's look at the last one. What comes to mind when you see this?
A tree. Still a tree.
A tree, very good. Could you describe it in more detail?
Hmm... it looks like those Christmas trees they put outside stores during the holidays. The roots are at the bottom, with branches spreading out to the sides.
But this one's a bit different. I think I can... feel its color.
Color? What color is it?
Gold, or maybe red? I feel like there's a dark sky above, pressing down on it. It's suffocating. The tree is... bleeding.
...
The doctor silently puts away the cards and records the girl's response.
I see. You mentioned Christmas trees... Do you remember where you last saw one?
I...
A sharp pain shoots through her head. She furrows her brow, her fingers tightly clutching the hem of her dress.
...I'm sorry, I can't remember.
That's alright. This is only your first day back after your discharge. You're already recovering exceptionally well, Nirvatia.
Noticing the girl's discomfort, the doctor promptly concludes his questions.
Doctor, the answers I gave... How is my condition?
Well... I've noticed that you often associate these abstract images with "trees," and your descriptions often include elements like "burning" or "bleeding"... things that evoke tension or discomfort.
This usually indicates that there's a particularly intense memory or emotion that your body has carefully tucked away. It's like your brain is shielding you from the injury in your heart to spare you from the pain.
It's called
Protection...
Nirvatia lowers her gaze, a shadow of dejection crossing her face.
But whenever I hear those sounds, my chest tightens with pain. It's always so difficult to bear, and I might even pass out...
"Those sounds"?
Nirvatia nods.
Sounds such as... sharp explosions, the engine tests from the city's rocket factory, and certain sudden noises.
I see.
The doctor maintains a gentle smile while opening another page in Nirvatia's file, circling a section describing her symptoms with a marker.
Your file mentions that these are complications stemming from your PTSD. Try not to worry too much. With consistent treatment, your condition will gradually improve.
Starting today, remember to come by my office every Monday afternoon to collect your medication.
He opens a drawer, taking out two bottles of medication and a key, which he hands to Nirvatia.
Here you go. Take one dose every morning after breakfast. Now, this is the key to your dormitory, Room 303. The school has arranged an outgoing roommate for you.
Nirvatia's brow furrows at the mention of a roommate.
I can take care of myself. You don't need to make special arrangements on my account.
Of course. I can assure you that your campus life will be just like any other student's: attending regular classes, participating in Scout training, the whole experience.
That's all I needed. Thank you.
Nirvatia stands up and instinctively bows.
The gesture comes naturally, though she can't recall where she has learned such formalities.
These days, Nirvatia constantly feels a profound sense of disconnection, as if her body doesn't belong to her, like a soul imprisoned in someone else's shell.
...I have one more question, Doctor. Please be honest with me.
The doctor looks up, meeting the girl's earnest, imploring gaze.
He pauses briefly before nodding.
I'm a man of faith, child. You can speak freely with me.
Can my condition be cured? The memories I've lost... Is there any way to recover them?
The words tumble out quickly as Nirvatia desperately seeks an answer, or at least some small comfort to cling to.
From a medical standpoint, many patients with amnesia and PTSD do fully recover, even before the Golden Age. You have every reason to be hopeful.
But... mental disorders remain one of the most enigmatic medical challenges. You've heard of Construct Tech, yes? It has virtually eliminated physical suffering, yet it's powerless against psychological trauma.
Different eras bring different traumas, and different people endure different sorrows. Everyone's scar is unique, and whether you can emerge from the darkness ultimately depends on you alone.
Nirvatia bows her head, pressing a hand against her chest and feeling the throb that so often brings her searing pain.
I'm sick of feeling like a stranger in my own body and this crushing pain in my chest. I have to overcome it.
The crisp rattling of blinds breaks the silence as the doctor opens them.
Afternoon sunlight streams in, casting a gentle warmth across Nirvatia's face.
The priest who baptized me loved to say that, "Only the damaged souls can truly comprehend the meaning of redemption." I believe this applies to you as well, Nirvatia.
Your enemy is your trauma and yourself. You don't necessarily need to "overcome" it... Halting your fixation on the results and focusing on this journey of redemption may allow you to discover a more peaceful way to live.
The doctor steps aside from the window and beckons Nirvatia forward with a wave of his hand.
...
Across the vast landscape, countless factories cluster around the towering CPF, stretching endlessly toward the golden horizon.
Thousands of tons of steel ride into the factories aboard thundering trains.
Soon, they will be forged by countless workers into rocket engines and carry the vessels of humanity's collective ambition to the stars.
The bell rings, signaling the end of the lunch break. Students who have been playing beneath the anti-aircraft guns scatter in all directions, swarming past military patrols and flooding into the school building.
This is the technological and cultural capital of Akdilek. This vision inherited from the Golden Age is big enough to embrace everyone's scars.
Nirvatia clutches the key in her hand, still unable to believe that someone as ordinary and alone as herself can become part of the magnificent ventures unfolding before her eyes.
From today onward, you're one of us, Nirvatia.
Welcome to Carthaki.
Carthaki Experimental Secondary School
1:48 PM
Rather than holing up in their dormitories, Carthaki students seem to prefer unwinding in the public spaces.
Unlike the "dormitories" Nirvatia imagined, each floor here is equipped with comprehensive sports facilities.
Basketball courts and treadmills on the first floor, volleyball and badminton courts on the second... Additionally, each floor features well-stocked reading corners for students to study.
A massive red banner hangs from the domed ceiling, proclaiming society's expectations for the children:
...How noisy.
Nirvatia dropped off her luggage earlier at the common area at the end of the first floor before reporting to the infirmary.
But upon returning there, she discovers her suitcase lying open on the floor, her belongings scattered across the ground.
Huh? What kind of garbage game is this? I have to start all over again if I'm dead?
Boss, we agreed one life per person! It's my turn to play now! Jagienka!
Get lost. That round doesn't count.
Who gave you permission to mess with someone else's things?
?
The girl with the eye patch sits on the sofa with her legs crossed, looking up to find a pair of furious eyes.
That's mine. Give it back.
Nirvatia points at the old-fashioned handheld game console in the girl's hands. The device's casing has "Morigan" hand-painted on it in small letters and appears to be quite old.
What do you mean? Zhang, isn't this thing yours?
She grabs the boy beside her by the ear and twists it forcefully.
Ow, Boss! That hurts! Stop it!
If the luggage was left in the public area, didn't that make it everyone's? Why get all worked up about what's yours and what's mine...
You, and you. Apologize.
Nirvatia fixes them both with a piercing glare.
Oh?
Jagienka frowns and reluctantly gets to her feet, positioning herself directly in front of Nirvatia.
Listen, we're all family in this place, and everything in the common areas is shared property. Don't you know that basic rule?
That's right, that's right! You can take our toys and cakes too if you want!
I'm not from around here. Don't try to lord over me with your made-up rules.
Nirvatia grabs Jagienka's wrist and tries to take back her game console, but Jagienka holds onto it with an iron grip.
Tch, an outsider? No wonder you don't know who I am.
Hey! How dare you lay hands on the boss!
Zhang darts forward, attempting to grab Nirvatia's arm.
But before he can even finish, Nirvatia swiftly sidesteps his advance and twists his wrist in one fluid motion.
Oww, it hurts, it hurts!
Zhang's dramatic wailing, however, is drowning out some kind of noise coming from the outside. Hearing the strange sound, students from upstairs poke their heads out curiously to see what is happening.
Give "Morigan" back to me, and—
BOOM—
Without warning, the faint rustling outside suddenly erupts into a deafening roar.
—Aargh!
Nirvatia immediately collapses to her knees.
Her chest tightens as if an invisible electric current has surged through her body, exploding into excruciating pain in an instant.
A piercing ringing tears through her nerves as Nirvatia collapses to her knees. Her limbs curl involuntarily while cold sweat runs down her pallid cheeks. Her breathing grows rapid and shallow from the overwhelming pain.
You idiot! What have you done?!
I-I didn't do anything! She just collapsed when the rocket went off...
Don't just stand there! Go get a doctor, now!!!
In her daze, time seems to stretch endlessly for Nirvatia. Everything around her becomes distant and unreal.
A gentle voice whispers in her ear as she finds herself transported to an unfamiliar world.
█▄▆█.
Beneath a burning sky, a woman embraces Nirvatia, whispering softly into her ear.
What is she saying? And where is this place?
Keep... running...
...Don't look back.
Nirvatia believes with absolute certainty that these words are vitally important to her.
But her memories are veiled behind a hazy filter. The harder she tries to grasp them, the more they blur and slip beyond her reach.
An overwhelming helplessness washes over Nirvatia as she desperately seeks the truth about her past. She struggles, reaching for the woman.
But the woman vanishes, and a different warmth takes hold of her hand instead.
Nirvatia... Are you awake?
Opening her eyes, Nirvatia finds an unfamiliar girl smiling at her, holding her sweat-drenched right palm.
Nirvatia finds herself lying with her head on the girl's lap. They are still in the dormitory's common area, with Jagienka anxiously crouching nearby.
Who... are you?
My name's Margaret. Are you feeling any discomfort?
She reaches out to gently brush a strand of hair from Nirvatia's forehead.
Nirvatia cautiously moves her arms, finding that the suffocating sensation has vanished. Strangely, the symptoms that usually torment her for over ten minutes have completely disappeared in less than a minute this time.
I'm fine now, thank you...
Think you can stand? Here, take my hand and go slowly. Take it easy, alright?
Mm...
Nirvatia slowly rises to her feet as Margaret gently brushes the dust from her skirt.
Here you go. Your student ID and keys fell on the ground earlier.
Guess what? I'm in room 303 too! We're roommates from today on!
So this is the "outgoing roommate" the school doctor mentioned.
Before Nirvatia can fully process the coincidence, Margaret has already turned her attention to Jagienka.
Ja—gien—ka! Have you been bullying other students again?
I... She was the one who got physical first.
Questioned by Margaret, Jagienka flushes slightly as her eyes wander before finally fixing on her own shoes.
Did you take something that wasn't yours? Hold out your hand.
Jagienka obediently complies like a small animal caught misbehaving.
Here you go, Nirvatia. If Jagienka ever gives you trouble again, don't hesitate to come find me, okay?
Nirvatia nods.
I wasn't giving her trouble, she was the one who—
Before Jagienka can finish, Margaret turns around to face her.
Alright, alright. The lunch lady taught me how to make a new kind of cake recently. Want to try some?
...Yeah.
Then let's go!
Margaret takes Jagienka by the hand and leads her away briskly.
Seeing Margaret's retreating figure, Nirvatia lowers her gaze to look at the key to Room 303 in her hand.
Wait—!
After a moment's hesitation, she takes a step forward.
Hmm?
Margaret turns back, somewhat surprised.
Thank you, Margaret.
You already thanked me earlier! Don't be so formal with me!
Can we... be friends after this?
Huh?
Margaret seems taken aback by the question.
But her surprise quickly melts into a delighted smile.
Of course! We're roommates after all!
Oh, that reminds me—
Margaret, as if suddenly remembering something, pulls an object from her pocket.
It is a bracelet adorned with a pale lavender pearl.
Here! This is for you, Nirvatia!
Margaret walks over and fastens the bracelet around Nirvatia's wrist.
Ooh—Jagienka, look! Doesn't it suit Nirvatia perfectly?
The girl smiles, grabbing Nirvatia's hand and holding it up in the air.
Huh? Oh, yeah...
Seemingly unwilling to meet Nirvatia's gaze, Jagienka merely glances over and responds half-heartedly.
Jagienka turns her face away, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, the bracelet with the pale yellow pearl on her wrist glimmering softly.
We'll be friends from now on, okay?
I look forward to our friendship, Nirvatia!
...Yeah. I look forward to it too.
