“Advance! By command! For the Honor of the Elite!”0

The sounds of bustling military training outside signaled the start of another day as Sophien woke up and stared at the ceiling, blinking her eyes.0

Blink, blink— Blink, blink—0

With her mind unusually clear, Sophien turned her head like a turtle toward the window where outside the desert sun blazed, searing enough to melt glass and warp steel frames, but inside the main building’s room, the air remained cool and refreshing.0

“Keiron,” Sophien called.0

— Yes, Your Majesty.0

"I feel lighter now."0

Maybe it was the comfort of the room, but Sophien’s body felt light and completely free from the exhaustion that had been weighing her down, her condition perfect as if she could go three days without sleep, and she glanced around, wondering if the Professor had come while she was out, but there wasn’t a single trace left behind.0

— I’m glad to hear it, Your Majesty. However, the ministers are already on their way.0

“The ministers are.”0

— Yes, Your Majesty.0

Sophien winced as the headache returned.0

The ministers, bane of all peace, are on their way? The best thing about the desert was being rid of them, yet why must they follow me even here? Sophien thought.0

“… And the Professor?” Sophien asked, her tone as casual as a passing breeze—as if the answer meant little.0

— The Chairman is scanning the perimeter for possible threats, Your Majesty, using the mirrors placed within a two-mile radius to establish a secure zone around Your Majesty’s presence.0

“A secure zone?”0

— Yes, Your Majesty.0

Indeed, as long as one understands the characteristics of mirrors, it is possible—at least in theory—to eliminate every blind spot, since sight can refract, reflect, and repeat itself without end.0

Sophien pushed herself upright from the bed without a word, and the moment she did, her chest tightened as if her heart had clenched on itself.0

"Again, again—this damned..."0

Thump—0

A pain jabbed into Sophien’s...0