"No! No!! No!!!"
"What?" I turned to Samuel, confused by his sudden outburst. "The bet was whoever completed the round the fastest. Did I not do that?"
"That's cheating if you do it like that! You need to actually win the fastest!" Samuel protested, grabbing me by the shoulders and shaking me side to side in frustration. "Since when did you get so interpretive with rules? I should have been clearer. You're disqualified from the bet!"
"Wha—?" Heartbroken, I crouched against the wall, tracing invisible shapes on the ground with my finger. "Not my fault you weren't clear when making the rules."
"Look what you did, Sam! You made Firefly all sad now!" Freya smacked him upside the head before crouching beside me, her voice dripping with exaggerated sympathy. "There, there~. I'll join the bet now, so when I win, I'll make these two idiots apologize properly."
At that, my sorrow evaporated, replaced by sheer dread. "You can't let her win, Samuel. Who knows what she'll do to me!"
"Aww, don't say that~." Freya beamed, holding up a collection of dresses—where did she even get those? "I'll just make you dress up all cute, then spread pictures of you across the entire net~."
I recoiled. "Please, Sam!" I begged, desperation creeping into my voice. "I'll forgive you if you or Zero win!"
Samuel sighed, rolling his eyes. "Even if you did cheat, you still beat Zero's time by a full minute. It won't be easy for her, either."
"Rank-2 cadets, to the arena!" the referee announced.
"Oh, I need to go! Wish me luck, Firefly!"
"Just—no," I deadpanned, turning my back as Freya gleefully skipped up the arena stairs. I looked up at Sam and Zero, exasperated. "Why did you two include her in the bet?"
"She included herself," Zero grumbled. "Even if she wins, she wasn't there when the three of us made the deal. That being said, it would be hilarious watching you try to run from her, Firefly."
Unsheathing my knife, I let the implied threat sink in as I glared at Zero and Sam, making it clear that I was not above violence to stay out of Freya's grasp. I had only known her for half a day, and she was already insufferable. High-energy people were too much for me.
"Alright, alright," Sam chuckled, putting his hands up in mock surrender. "As good as she is, the best she can probably do is ten seconds slower than Zero."
Zero nodded. "We sparred a lot over the years to help each other train, but Freya never beat me. You'd know that if you ever actually left the simulation cabin."
I tensed. "Why does it matter?"
Sam leaned in, pressing for answers. "Why did you lock yourself in there, anyway? The only times I ever saw you, you were either heading to your room, grabbing food, or using the private workrooms." He picked up my helmet from my hip, inspecting it. "You worked on this thing a lot. What does it even do?"
"Omni-directional warning sensors, mission markers, radio communication, target and ally identifiers—a myriad of other useful things," I listed off, tapping the side of the helmet as its turquoise eyes flickered to life. "I designed it with Andromeda as a combat support system. He can see what I see and feed me information. He drew up the blueprints once I made the recommendation, but it took five prototypes to fix the problems."
Sam attempted to put it on, but the tight fit made him grimace. "What kind of problems?"
"Overheating circuits. The first few models burst into flames." The mask split open, revealing Sam's horrified expression.
Zero chuckled.
"The battery life was an issue, too," I added, reclaiming my helmet and holding it protectively against my chest. "But that's been fixed. Forty-eight hours of charge, and only a few minor glitches that Andy patches as needed."
Sam tapped the hard shell, intrigued. "This thing makes it feel almost like a game. Could you make me one?"
Recalling a lesson from Traveler about supply and demand, I smirked. "Pay me, and maybe I'll be generous. The materials cost a lot of mission points."
Sam opened his mouth to argue, but the referee's voice rang through the arena. "Rank-2 victor is Freya Quaid of Fallen Moon Base!"
A roar erupted from the crowd.
I turned to the timer overhead—3 minutes, 45 seconds. Fifty seconds slower than Zero. Over a minute and a half slower than me. "Thank the Empress." I exhaled in relief.
"Guess it's my turn now," Sam said, stretching. "See you guys in two minutes." He high-fived Freya on his way up the stairs.
"Arrogant prick," Zero muttered. He tapped my shoulder, making me recoil a step away. "You think he can really beat you by thirty seconds?"
Clutching my shoulder, I exhaled sharply. "I'm not sure... What do you think, Andy?"
[CK-17 Draco's armament mode retains its ability to store kinetic energy in combat, and Pilot Samuel displays high levels of intelligence. I have drafted twenty potential scenarios in which he is fully capable of surpassing your record. The odds are in his favour.]
Likely hearing Andy's analysis as well, judging by his expression, Zero pursed his lips. His own Constellation Knight, socketed onto his shoulder, spoke into my earpiece. [That scaly machine only knows how to turn his opponents' attacks against them and blast them apart with shockwaves. Against me and my pilot? We'd crush him like the lizard he is.]
[Negative,] Andromeda responded to Ara, ever logical. [Your super strength would only be blasted back at you. Without a definitive strategy, it would become a contest of shields, each trying to break through the other.]
Adjusting my earpiece, I realized how lucky I was to have Andromeda—an AI that wasn't ruled by passion. While it was clear that Draco and Ara were both highly intelligent, they were also egotistical, especially when pitted against other CKs. Believing in oneself too much was a weakness. As Traveler often said, 'arrogance is just ignorance with a fancy hat for fun.'
"The cadets ready?" the referee called, redirecting the crowd's attention to the arena. A hush fell before he raised his hand. "Begin!"
Ten pillars of light erupted, enveloping each cadet. From a fiery-red glow, Samuel emerged, his signature shield gauntlets already raised. Without hesitation, he began banging his iron wrists together repeatedly, the veins across them pulsing brighter with each impact.
[Pilot Samuel has chosen Scenario Seven,] Andromeda reported in my ear. [By frequently and powerfully striking his gauntlets, he can gather enough kinetic force within two minutes to unleash a shockwave capable of knocking all nine opponents off the arena. If the other cadets ignore him, he is certain to win the bet.]
I scanned the battlefield. As expected, the other rank-1 cadets, all skilled enough to take down their own instructors, were too preoccupied with each other to notice Samuel.
Two minutes passed. By the time they realized what was happening, Samuel's gauntlets burned bright red, steam rising from them like an overheating engine. He grinned smugly.
"Try this!!" he roared.
With a single punch, a forceful gale exploded outward, almost tornado-like. Several cadets were lifted off their feet and hurled into the stands. A few managed to stab their weapons into the ground, clinging desperately.
But Samuel wasn't finished. His second fist rocketed forward and the remaining cadets lost their grip, their fingers slipping from their weapon handles. One by one, they were sent flying, just like the others.
"Easy." Samuel smirked, pumping his fist in victory.
Zero and I exchanged glances, shaking our heads at his smug display.
The referee jogged onto the battlefield, raising Sam's arm. "Rank-1 victor: Samuel Foster of Fallen Moon Base!"
The crowd erupted, but amidst the cheers, Freya, Zero, and I all caught onto something else entirely.
"Did he just say Foster? As in... Jackson Foster?" Freya asked, her brows furrowing. "Why didn't Sam tell us he's the son of Orion's pilot?!"
One look at Samuel and Jackson's tense exchange made it clear—grievances ran deep between them.
Defending Sam, I offered, "He must have his reasons. But look at the clock. He really did win in two minutes, just like he said."
Zero groaned. "That's infuriating. Who knows what that arrogant bastard will ask from us. Don't even think about backing out," he warned Freya.
"As if I would, you brute!" Offended, she slapped Zero's bicep before clinging to my arm. "A woman is only as good as her word! Wouldn't you agree, Firefly~?"
I let her snuggle against my shoulder, though I barely paid attention. My focus remained on Sam as he approached, guilt flickering across his face. Scratching the back of his head, he forced a grin. "Guess that was a surprise, huh? Me being the son of a Constellation Knight? Sorry. I just... I'm not exactly fond of my old man, so I never talked about him."
Stepping forward, I offered him a warm smile. "It doesn't matter. Traveler told me everyone has their circumstances. The best I can do is treat you like I always have. You're still the same Sam I met by the river that day."
"Yeah," Zero added. "You're an ass to deal with, but who cares who your parents are? We don't have any to judge by."
Sam exhaled in relief. "Thanks, guys." Then, ever the flirt, he grinned. "Maybe I could get a kiss to really show you care?"
"Shove it." Zero scowled, pushing Sam away from me and Freya.
We didn't pry further. A silent understanding passed between us—Sam would tell us more when he was ready.
The tournament continued, with random cadets from different bases being called up to showcase their skills. Matches lasted no more than five minutes each, but with nearly 700 cadets in attendance, the event stretched for another three hours.
At last, as the final duel concluded, Marshal Haslein stepped forward, commanding the crowd's attention.
"With today's duels complete, I am pleased to witness such remarkable results from the newest generation of Knight Pilots. Their skill surpasses that of previous years," he declared. "I am certain they will serve well once they enter the Military Corps. However—" His voice sharpened. "There is one final announcement before today's festivities end."
A ripple of curiosity passed through the crowd.
"Will the three newest stars please step forward?"
Samuel, Zero, and I exchanged glances before stepping onto the arena stage. We halted at the edge closest to Haslein and the high officials.
"Today, the stars themselves have donned armor to serve Her Majesty, Empress Lucione Aina Trigrata the First," Haslein proclaimed. "And these three fine young men and women have been chosen to wield that armour."
Excitement bubbled through the spectators. Murmurs turned to frenzied whispers. Many had already pieced together what was about to be revealed.
"It is with great honor that I announce three of the Constellation Knights have awakened from their slumber!"
Gasps rippled through the audience.
"In the hands of Cadet Zero—Ara, the Altar Knight, has descended upon us!"
Zero tossed his knight-card into the air. A metallic flash erupted as Ara materialized—a towering knight of silvery-white metal, standing like a pillar against the sky.
"Awakening from its deep slumber—Draco, the Dragon Knight, has opened its eyes!"
With a flick of his wrist, Samuel unleashed his Constellation Knight. Draco's red metals and dark leather gleamed as it loomed over us, radiating an aura of unyielding ferocity.
"And finally—emerging for the first time in over two centuries! By the grace of Cadet Firefly, Andromeda, the Fairy Knight, has returned!"
I lifted my knight-card, watching as it soared into the air before shifting into its true form. A tall, majestic knight of dark platinum, streaked with gold and painted in deep green, Andromeda hovered behind me, its presence both regal and commanding.
"Three of the fifty Constellation Knights have returned from their slumber to serve the Empire!" Haslein's voice thundered across the arena. "The stars have donned their armour, their weapons raised for the Empress! They stand ready to defend the prosperity of Her Majesty's people!"
The moment he finished, the crowd erupted, a tidal wave of cheers and frantic voices crashing over us.
"Three Constellation Knights?! I don't believe it!"
"There's only ever been one knight awakened at a time, right?!"
"The Fairy Knight? Quick, get a good shot of their pilot!"
The sheer force of the noise rattled through my bones, almost overwhelming. I should have worn my helmet, should have prepared for this—but how could I have? How could anyone prepare for the moment their very existence was rewritten in front of thousands?
Beside me, Sam and Zero soaked in the attention, waving, grinning, basking in the glow of recognition. They were thriving in it. But for me, this moment wasn't about the cheers or the flashing cameras. It was about something far quieter, far more profound.
Because in this instant, with Andromeda towering behind me and my name echoing through the air, Firefly was real. Not a whispered alias. Not a mask. Not a fleeting, fragile wish. Firefly was a name etched into history, and the past—my past—had finally lost its grip.
Zero-Three, the shadow of a child who had fought and bled and suffered screaming into the void, could rest now. She could finally sleep without fear.
"Thank you for never giving up on yourself." I whispered to my past self, feeling her detach from the new me to finally sleep in peace.