The headmistress smiles. The system tightens.
---
Morning, 7:03 AM — Main Campus, Tower of Authority
I didn't even finish breakfast when the summons came.
> [You are requested by Headmistress Elira at 7:30 sharp. Attendance is mandatory.]
The delivery girl didn't even look at me. She just dropped the letter, bowed, and vanished like she was afraid it might explode.
> "Is this... normal?" I asked.
Rin blinked across the table. "No. Headmistress Elira doesn't usually acknowledge first-years."
Mira tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
> "Oh... maybe she just wants to meet her newest forbidden anomaly~"
That made me choke on my toast.
---
7:29 AM — Tower of Authority, Level 13
The elevator opened into pure silence.
The room was white marble and gold trim, with hanging sigils rotating gently in midair. Floating screens pulsed with unreadable glyphs. The air felt... judgmental.
At the far end, behind a vast crystalline desk, sat Elira Vaelthein.
---
SYSTEM ALERT: POWER SIGNATURE DETECTED
Name: Elira Vaelthein
Role: Headmistress of Yuri Academy
Affinity: Law-class Soulbound / Void Administrative Tier
System Level: ✶✶✶✶✶ (Access Beyond Current Interface)
---
She didn't look up.
> "You're early, Mr. Voidborne. That's... rare for your type."
I stood in place. "You summoned me."
> "And you arrived. Good. That proves basic system compliance."
She gestured toward a single black chair that hadn't been there a second ago. I sat.
---
Inspection Begins
> "You've triggered five Class B incidents in the last 72 hours. Gained access to an unstable replication skill. And... Mira's mask has fractured."
She finally looked at me. Her eyes were gold—like actual, glowing gold. They flickered like old machine code.
> "So tell me, Nox. Are you here to obey the rules of this world... or rewrite them?"
"I didn't ask to rewrite anything," I said.
> "Neither did the last anomaly. She still rewrote two continents before she exploded."
---
[System: Elira is accessing you directly]
Interface priority: HER system > YOUR system
Manual override request detected
Accept? [ ] / Deny? [✓ Attempt Block]
> Blocked.
Elira tilted her head slightly, amused.
> "Interesting. You have system shielding. Custom-built. Not native."
She stood and walked slowly around me. Her presence felt heavier than Cassandra's blade or Mira's smile.
> "You were sent here by something that wants to test this world. And unfortunately... that puts you in my jurisdiction."
---
The Offer
She stopped behind me.
> "I'll offer you one thing."
> "Survival. Not freedom. Not love. Not peace."
> "But survival — under my contract."
> "I will protect you from Mira. From Cassandra. From the ones that haven't made a move yet. But in exchange... when the time comes, you will choose my side."
---
[System Interface Opening: Elira's Contract Proposal]
Contract Type: Soul-Oath
Effect: Temporary immunity from high-tier spiritual surveillance
Cost: Binding allegiance to Elira in future faction war
Optional: Delay answer until Chapter 12
> [ ] Accept
[ ] Refuse
[✓] Delay
I looked her in the eyes. "I don't trust anyone in this place."
She smiled.
> "Good. That means you're not completely broken yet."
---
As I left the room, I heard her whisper to herself:
> "But you will be. In time. They always are."
---
[System Note]
Elira Vaelthein
> Threat Level: Unknown
Motive: Control through Order
Obsession Level: 0% (Monitored)
Calculated Risk: Extremely high
Contract Status: PENDING