Welcome, Class of 2025!" she said. "I'm Dean Halvorsen, head of student success and integration. Over the next hour, we'll walk you through how to make the most of your time here—academically, socially, and professionally."
Jerry forced a polite expression onto his face as the dean's voice echoed through the massive auditorium. Rows of students sat straight-backed in crimson chairs, pretending to listen. Jerry scanned the space, noting the same glow of unspoken nerves that had blanketed the orientation plaza.
Except now, it felt different. The lights were dimmer. The whispers softer. And beneath the stage's well-rehearsed slideshow, Jerry could sense something stirring.
[System Latency Detected – Recalibrating Emotional Framework…]
A faint ripple of static buzzed in the back of his mind. Not painful—just there. Ragnar grunted something about monitoring energy signatures, while Alric muttered a complaint about interference.
Zen, however, was amused. "Oho? She's giving a speech and you're glitching in a crowd. Classic protagonist syndrome."
Jerry cleared his throat and focused on the stage. Dean Halvorsen had moved on to explaining the campus's AI-powered support system—something called MAGSU Connect—that offered real-time academic recommendations and event updates.
Real-time assistance, Jerry thought. Sounds familiar.
As the dean spoke, a wave of unreadable tension swept through the crowd.
As the auditorium lights brightened and the speech wrapped up, students stood, stretching and murmuring as they made their way out into the open quad.
Jerry lingered in his seat, the last few words from Dean Halvorsen drifting in his head.
"Make connections. Take risks. And remember — the strongest memories you make won't be from lectures."
He was about to head out when he heard someone call, "Yo, Jerry!"
He turned to see Mira waving from the hallway.
"You looked like you saw God or a midterm from the future. Everything okay?"
Jerry scratched his neck, chuckling awkwardly. "Just… taking it all in."
"Well, congrats. You survived your first mandatory university speech. That's a milestone."
They walked together through the corridor and into the sunny chaos of the orientation fair again. Booths had been restocked with snacks, flyers fluttered in the wind, and students flowed like ants in and out of colorful tents.
"So what now?" Mira asked, sipping her coffee. "Wanna walk around and judge some clubs with me?"
"Actually, I—"
DING.
A soft, melodic ping echoed in Jerry's skull.
[New Event Triggered – First Contact Protocol][Objective: Connect With a Registered Target][Booth Marked: Let's Connect! – Zone B-4]
He flinched.
Mira raised an eyebrow. "You alright?"
"Yeah," he lied. "Just remembered something I… signed up for."
"Oh? A booth thing?"
"Yeah, kind of. I think it's called—"
"Let's Connect?" she guessed, pointing down the quad. "It's like a speed-meet club for new students. I passed by earlier. Looks cheesy as hell."
Jerry managed a laugh. "Guess I'm about to find out."
She bumped her shoulder lightly against his. "Go flirt with some future classmates, Romeo. I'll be judging the cosplay club's foam armor if you need me."
He grinned and waved as she walked off.
[Approaching Target Zone…]
The booth was modest — a round table surrounded by folding chairs, with a banner above reading:LET'S CONNECT – Speed Meet. One Minute. No Judgment. No Pressure.
Dozens of students were already chatting in rotating pairs. A volunteer handed Jerry a card with a number on it.
"Station 3. Sit across from whoever's there and say hi!"
Jerry walked up, trying not to overthink it. This is fine. Social interaction. Totally normal.
Until he saw her.
Seated at Station 3 — arms folded, black hair tied in a high ponytail, eyes like midnight glass and a presence sharp enough to slice through the noise — was a girl who looked like she had no business being in a "no pressure" zone.
She tilted her head when she saw him. A soft smile tugged at her lips.
"Number 3, huh?" she said. Her voice was smooth, low, confident.
Jerry blinked. "Yeah. Uh… hi. I'm Jerry."
She nodded slowly. "Lyra."
[Target #01 Identified – Codename: Violet Tempest][H.A.R.E.M Sync Probability: 91.2%][Status: Heart Locked]
His pulse jumped.
She leaned forward, elbows on the table. "So… Jerry. Do you usually stare at girls like they're error messages, or am I special?"
Jerry flushed. "Sorry. I just… you remind me of someone."
A lie. But one that bought him time.
She smirked. "Hope it's someone you liked."
He was about to reply when another ping slipped through the static.
[Micro-Challenge Initiated – Emotional Baseline Sync Test][Prompt: Ask her something real.]
Zen's voice groaned in his head. "Ugh, system wants feelings. Go on, Romeo. Make her feel seen."
Jerry took a breath. "Why'd you come to this booth? You don't look like the type who needs help making friends."
Lyra's expression flickered — surprise, then amusement, and something quieter beneath it.
"Most people ask me what instrument I play," she said. "Not why I'm here."
"Okay," Jerry replied. "What instrument do you play?"
"Violin," she said. "Since I was five. Trained. Competed. All that fun stuff."
She paused, then leaned back slightly.
"But I'm here because I'm trying not to be 'the violin girl' anymore. Trying to meet people who don't just see sheet music when they look at me."
[Sync Level +2. Emotional Response: Engaged.]
Jerry smiled. "Well, I see someone who just owned that whole table."
She laughed — not politely, but genuinely.
The volunteer clapped once. "Switch partners!"
Lyra stood up. "I'll see you around, Jerry."
Before he could reply, she was already moving, vanishing into the crowd.
Ragnar's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "One heart now knows your rhythm."
Zen added, "She's hot. Also, you didn't suck. Progress!"
Jerry sat in the empty chair for a moment, heart still racing, breath catching up to his brain.
The game had truly begun.
But just before he stood, a folded note slipped into view on the table.
His name was scribbled on the front.
He opened it.
Meet me at the music room after sundown.– Lyra
[Event Flag Updated – Side Quest Unlocked: Dissonant Harmony]
Jerry exhaled.
And for the first time that day… smiled without force.