Carthaki Experimental Secondary School
2162
Post-Pandemic Age
1:10 PM
Y-you can't do this! I was here first! I reserved this space yesterday!
Who cares if you did? We're from the basketball club and we have a game next week. Now, get lost!
During the sweltering lunch break, a group of boys corners Zhang in an inconspicuous part of the playground.
But there's more than one court here! Why do you have to...
The game next week takes place on this court, so we're getting familiar with it, got it?
The boy steps closer. Zhang tries to step away, only to find himself backed against the fence.
We've been watching you for 20 minutes, and you couldn't sink a single shot. Even the monkeys at the zoo play better than you!
But I have to be honest, I did notice something special about you...
He smirks, pointing at Zhang while looking back at his companions.
He's exceptionally gifted at being completely talentless... He should start a circus club instead!
The students erupt in laughter.
You can't just...
Aargh!
A stone flies out from within the group and strikes him.
Zhang instinctively raises his arm to shield himself. With a sharp smack, a bloody gash appears on his forearm.
Enough talking, loser! Get lost already!
The jeering students swarm around him, shoving him back and forth like a ball.
Know your place, ringmaster! Apologize and beat it!
I... I didn't do anything wrong! The rules say everyone gets to play!
What a stickler for rules! No wonder you don't have any friends.
So soft and weak... That's why you always have to tag along with someone else!
The students burst into laughter again.
Circus freak! Circus freak! Circus freak!
This'll teach you a lesson. Next time...
Aargh!!
A fist slams into his smirking face.
What happens next time? Go on, I'm listening!
Suddenly, a blonde figure charges into the center of the crowd. She sneers as she cracks her knuckles.
You—!
Before the boy can finish, Jagienka delivers another kick to his face, knocking him to the ground.
Bet that wasn't soft or weak. Or should I knock out a couple of your teeth too?
The crowd instantly falls silent, all eyes turning to the girl behind them. She stands with her arms crossed, glaring at them with a raised eyebrow.
...Boss!
Who are you? His babysitter?
Ahem... Boss, that's Jagienka...
Oh, the one from the parachute club? Whose parents were Air Force martyrs?
Jagienka's brow suddenly furrows as she steps forward, her furious gaze just inches away from the boy's face.
Mention them again, and I promise I'll knock you down so hard you'll be flying through the air.
Let him go and crawl back to whatever hole you came from.
She glances at Zhang, who is clutching his injured arm.
I've heard you're quite the fighter, but no matter how good you are, you've only got two fists.
He waves his hand, and several more boys approach, their imposing figures casting a united shadow over Jagienka.
The credits for the long-distance race should've been ours. Thanks to you, we might lose our shot at being titled the "Dominik Patrol" now.
So? Why is it my fault that you're trash?
Jagienka scans the crowd with disdain, loosens her collar, and slowly rolls up her sleeves.
Is this everyone? Do you need some time to think about how to explain to your parents why you're going home looking like a bruised mess?
Together! Get her!
STOP!!!
A sharp, commanding voice calls out, stopping everyone mid-motion.
Jagienka! Are you getting into fights again?
...Margaret? What are you doing here...?
Doesn't the basketball club have a game next week? How are you going to explain to your coach and the school if someone gets injured?
Nirvatia walks directly to Jagienka's side, silently signaling her to step back a little.
...Tch, aren't you the transfer student?
Scout groups engaging in brawls constitutes a serious violation that could disqualify you from tomorrow's final assessment.
The pre-assessment rally is this afternoon. Do you really want to become the school's laughingstock at this critical moment?
Nirvatia speaks rapidly, clearly not wanting to leave them any room for argument.
Leave now, and we can pretend we didn't see anything.
Otherwise, you can forget about your game, and say goodbye to any chance at the "Dominik Patrol" title.
Oh, and Major Li will make sure each of you gets a beating.
...
Hearing Nirvatia's warning, the boys exchange glances before all turning to look at their tall leader.
You parachute and circus freaks got lucky this time!
The boy tries to glare at Jagienka, but withers under Nirvatia's stare.
...We're leaving!
He turns and walks away with a sullen pout, and the others gradually disperse behind him.
Boss, Nirvatia... Thank you both.
Next time they cause trouble, I'll beat—
(Stare...)
Feeling the gaze boring into her back, Jagienka suddenly goes quiet mid-sentence, nervously twirling her hair around her finger.
Ahaha... I-I'll find Major Li!
Are you hurt anywhere else? Do you want us to go with you to the infirmary?
I'm fine. It's just a small cut on my arm. I can go to the infirmary by myself.
I'll head out now... Thank you all!
Margaret waves goodbye, and they watch as Zhang walks away.
Ahem, so.
I could've handled it myself, but I should still thank—
Don't bother.
Nirvatia suddenly turns away.
The three of us belong to the same Patrol. I don't want our group's evaluation to suffer because of one person.
I refuse to fall behind the others.
With that, she walks away without looking back, leaving Jagienka and Margaret standing there in stunned silence.
Nirvatia...
Margaret glances at Nirvatia's retreating figure, then at Jagienka beside her.
In the soft afternoon light, Jagienka's pale yellow bracelet glints brightly.
Jagienka, have you and Nirvatia made up yet? Have you apologized to her?
...
Heyo—
Seeing Jagienka hang her head, Margaret suddenly claps right next to her ear.
You scared me! What was that for...
You know, Nirvatia might seem cold on the outside, but she's actually really generous and kind-hearted. Just take a little initiative, and I'm sure she'll warm up to you.
If you keep obsessing over the past, you'll miss out on tomorrow's sunshine!
You're a pilot who protects the skies! You've got to be more proactive, you know?
G-got it...
Jagienka twirls her hair around her finger, nodding reluctantly.
So... pinky promise? From now on, if something like this happens again, you'll find Nirvatia first, or... at least come to me.
Under the azure sky, Margaret holds out her pinky finger.
...
Yeah, pinky promise.
Carthaki
3:00 PM
The setting sun bathes the spires of Carthaki Research Institute, casting a magnificent shadow across Unity Square below.
Nearly a thousand young students gather beneath. Since the institute normally prohibits public entry, most are visiting for the first time, their faces alight with excitement as they take in the spectacular surroundings.
Whoa—it's so tall and big, like... a super duper chocolate bar!
Hehe, I just got inspired! I'm going to try making one tonight!
That's the Alliance Heritage Monument, Margaret. We covered it in cultural studies yesterday.
...Oops, I was too busy thinking about what fruits to use in my cake during class.
Jagienka lets out a resigned sigh.
It's shaped like a fountain pen, representing the scientific community of the entire Akdilek Commercial Alliance. It commemorates how they transformed Carthaki from ruins into a global technological hub.
See the inscription on it?
Jagienka points to the side of the monument. Margaret shades her eyes with her hand and looks up.
For... a...
"For a Better Tomorrow."
Oh! I remember now. That's what's written on the first page of the Scout Handbook!
Yeah. It's also Carthaki's motto.
She smiles, scanning the crowd around them.
...Where's Nirvatia?
She was chosen to be part of the staff. She's probably helping backstage right now.
"Chosen"...
Jagienka glances at the three connected seats she fought so hard to secure and lets out a sigh.
She's always stealing the spotlight.
Guided by the staff, students begin taking their seats. Soon after, a tall figure emerges from backstage and steps onto the spacious podium.
Ahem...! Scouts, our rally is about to begin. Please maintain silence.
The familiar voice echoes across the square as the audience gradually falls silent.
Now, please give our keynote speaker a warm round of applause! This is Comrade Gregory, a distinguished worker who has served honorably on Carthaki's industrial frontlines for 30 years!
Thunderous applause fills the air as a tall, thin man with deeply weathered skin slowly makes his way to the podium.
Esteemed Scouts, comrades from all sectors of society, good afternoon to you all.
His voice is powerful yet tinged with nervousness, his fingers repeatedly brushing against the oak panel of the lectern. Looking at him, one cannot help but think of an ordinary, middle-aged everyman.
...Actually, I wasn't supposed to be the one standing at this podium today, but my old liver condition flared up again two days ago.
When I opened my eyes, the doctor informed me that I have less than two months left to live.
As a worker, I understand that the true measure of an endeavor's greatness lies not in its glamour, but in its ability to withstand the trials of time.
So, in what little time I have left, I wish to make a final contribution to the cause I hold so dear.
He lifts his head with pride as he says that, his gaze sweeping over the children in the audience, his voice no longer hesitant or nervous.
30 years ago, a piece of shrapnel struck my liver during the war. The doctors said the wound would eventually rupture again, and when that happened, I would certainly die from poisoning.
No one knows when that day will come. It could be in an hour, a week, or even ten years. It hangs over me like the Sword of Damocles, casting every day of my life into a waking nightmare.
I couldn't see any meaning in such an existence. Then one day, Akdilek launched their plan to rebuild Carthaki, and I became one of the first pioneers to set foot on those ruins.
Those who journeyed with me were mostly young people affected by the war. Akdilek gave us an official designation—the Carthaki Scouts.
I'll never forget that bitter winter when over 400 of us Scouts trudged through snow and wind to lay a narrow-gauge railway across the river bridge, carrying steel and wooden planks on our shoulders.
A snowstorm had plunged Carthaki into minus 30 degrees. To ensure the Carthakians had access to coal and firewood, we worked around the clock, fearing that even a moment's rest might leave someone suffering in the cold.
We completed it, and I collapsed from exhaustion. When I opened my eyes, I beheld an enormous fireball soaring into the sky! Its flames cut through the biting snow and wind, shining even brighter than the sun itself!
I later learned it was Alliance 10, a rocket built by the Carthakian themselves. Countless tons of steel and fuel had traveled along the tracks we laid, carrying the Golden Age's ambitions into space.
In that moment, I finally understood the meaning of life—to live and to labor. These are what bind you and me together in our struggle for one magnificent dream.
In our collective struggle, even the humblest achievement becomes noble, and even the smallest individual becomes sublime.
10 years ago, the youth and workers of Carthaki once again defied mockery and doubt from the outside to successfully overcome the energy conversion challenge of the M.I.N.D., completing Carthaki Reactor No. 4.
He sweeps his arm through the air, turning to look at the towering structure behind him.
Today, it still roars beneath this building, sustaining the daily needs of 35000 Carthakians... Comrades, what a magnificent achievement this is!
We used to live within this golden dream... until one year ago, when the Punishing Virus descended upon our world.
It has destroyed our modern way of life and brought unprecedented war and death to the entire world. Humanity—our civilization—now stands at a crossroads unlike any we've faced before.
Comrades, the enemy we face is formidable, but it is not invincible as some nihilists would have you believe. These past few months, we've successfully halted the Punishing Virus' advance in both the Atlantic and Kowloong.
So what if we've lost our technology? We created it, and we can just as well shut it down! As long as our spirit of unity and sacrifice endures, the Golden Age isn't over. We will weather this storm together!
What determines a person's worth has never been about what you can achieve, but rather what you're willing to sacrifice for a righteous cause.
My dear young Scouts, your parents' generation and mine fought and bled to create the beautiful world we have today.
Today, that same sacred duty falls upon your shoulders. We will not allow the Punishing Virus to advance one step further. We will continue to live brilliantly and labor passionately... for everything we hold dear!
FOR A BETTER TOMORROW!
Gregory raises his arm high, and the square erupts in thunderous cheers.
Enthusiastic students rise to their feet, paying respect to the tearful old worker on the stage.
Whether or not they fully grasp Gregory's speech, the students have undoubtedly recognized the dramatic shifts of their era and felt a sense of purpose through his words.
They are no longer individuals but a community bound together to "live and labor." It seems that every person, every small effort, can influence the course of history.
Of course, some do not buy into this fervent idealism.
...Tch, more propaganda.
Can motivational speeches defeat the Punishing Virus? I was hoping to see Colonel Pavlov and hear about actual combat...
Hey! You there! Watch your mouth!
...Tch, since when were you sitting behind me?
I'm just saying... All this propaganda is useless and stupid. People don't live just to suffer. So? Got any brilliant insights to add?
This is our history! All Carthakians must know what they're fighting for!
Conviction and discipline are what make someone pick up a gun and win battles! If our army was full of people like you, we wouldn't stand a chance against the Punishing Virus!
I'm not going to keep arguing with you... Hey, you, what do you think?
The boy turns to look at Margaret.
Ignore him, Margaret.
Huh? Me?
Margaret presses her index finger to her cheek, looking thoughtful.
I think it's wonderful that we all got to participate in this event together!
...?
That old man has lived through so much. If this was what he wanted to share at the end of his life, he must think it's really important.
Aren't we missing the point if we're fighting over something like that?
Margaret smiles as she gazes toward the distant podium. As the applause gradually subsides, majestic string music fills the air, signaling the start of the rally's performances.
The children turn toward the stage in unison, where a red flag waves proudly in the breeze, emblazoned with the motto of their era—
The Hill In The Back
Carthaki Experimental Secondary School
6:34 PM
Instead of returning to the dormitory after the rally ends, Nirvatia heads to the hill behind the school, carrying her training firearms.
For most people, Gregory's speech was inspiring, but hardly profound.
But it was different for Nirvatia.
His words filled her with a surging vitality, as she witnessed a vivid example of a "patient" earning his place in the world through hard work.
This means that even marginalized, lost people like her can connect with others through their efforts and carve out their place in the world.
...
Nirvatia climbs up to the training grounds on the hill, removes the rifle from her back, and casually selects a shooting window.
There, she discovers a wooden sign with a name that makes her blood boil.
Stop trembling. The target won't pity you. —Jagienka, highest scoring shooter on this range
Phew—
Holding her rifle, she stares at the sign for a long time before closing her eyes and taking deep breaths.
She tries to picture Jagienka's face on the target, and then—
Bang.
