The midday sun filtered through the arched windows of the sparring hall, casting geometric shadows across the polished floor. Ellee stood at the center of the ring, her hands clasped behind her back, her demeanor sharp and unreadable.
The four new students stood in a line before her, now clad in their official academy gear—lightweight armor beneath black coats etched with silver runes, the mark of Special Unit status. The atmosphere was stiff with anticipation.
"Today's exercise is simple," Ellee announced. Her tone was crisp, devoid of warmth. "I will test your abilities and determine if the Guild's praise is justified."
Maya, the violet-eyed girl, exchanged a smirk with the others.
"Understood, Commander," she said with a slight bow.
Ellee's eye twitched, but she didn't respond.
Kate leaned toward Kayla on the sidelines. "She's in full commander mode now."
Kayla whispered back, "Yup. Cold and calculated. They're not gonna see her soft side anytime soon."
The test began with agility drills—leaping across energy nodes, midair dodges, tight-timed barrier deflection. Each of the four passed smoothly, too smoothly. Their movements were familiar, eerily synchronized, even when they weren't looking at each other.
Ellee noticed it too.
They're coordinated… like they've trained together for years.
"Good. Next—combat test," she said. "You'll spar with me. One by one."
Maya stepped forward first, her stance firm but graceful. Ellee drew her sword, letting the blade hum with light energy. They bowed, then clashed.
The clang of metal echoed through the hall. Maya's style was fluid, evasive—almost like water with edges. But Ellee was relentless, pushing her back again and again.
"You're holding back," Ellee stated.
"Maybe," Maya replied with a small smirk. "Wouldn't want to show off too much on the first day."
Ellee narrowed her eyes. "Try me."
Maya lunged forward suddenly, the smile vanishing, her blade grazing Ellee's shoulder plate before she was flipped and pinned.
"One down," Ellee said coolly, releasing her.
Viola, Zion, and Xion followed. Each encounter was unique—Viola danced with precision and wind-aided swiftness, Zion fought like a strategist, and Xion… Xion fought with fire in his eyes, like someone who knew her, every move tailored to push her just far enough to notice.
When Ellee disarmed him, he didn't look disappointed—he looked satisfied.
"Well done," Ellee said afterward, breath steady but guarded.
"Thanks, Commander," Xion replied. "You fight the same way you used to."
"…What?"
There was a pause.
"I mean… like legends say you would." He smiled.
She gave him a long look. "Be mindful with your words."
What does he mean by 'used to'?
She turned away before they could see her doubt.
---
Later that evening, the group gathered in the lounge, a cozy area designed for high-rank students. Ellee had reluctantly agreed to join them—mostly due to Kayla and Kate insisting she "socialize more like a human."
She sat on a cushioned bench near the window, sipping tea with her posture still straight. Gone was the ice-cold commander—now, she was still, distant, but less sharp around the edges.
"You can all drop the formality," Ellee said quietly. "This isn't a briefing."
Viola, sitting across from her, smiled. "So… you can talk like a normal person."
Xion leaned back on the couch beside her. "Commander Ellee, off duty. That's rare."
"I'm always on duty," Ellee muttered.
"You used to laugh more," Maya added gently, watching her over the rim of her cup.
Ellee blinked. "…Excuse me?"
"Just saying. It suits you."
Ellee looked away. "You all talk like you've known me before."
The four exchanged quick glances.
"Well," Zion said carefully, "we did research. You're kind of a legend in the guild."
"Hm." She crossed her legs. "Legends often hide the truth."
Viola tapped her fingers. "True. Like how you got your scar?"
Ellee froze. Her hand moved instinctively to the edge of her collar, where a faint scar trailed just beneath.
No one here should know about that… unless…
"Accident in training," she answered curtly.
"I remember it was lightning," Xion said.
Silence.
Ellee stared at him, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.
"You remember wrong."
Or maybe… he doesn't.
Zion laughed softly to ease the tension. "Well, we do feel like we've known you forever. Maybe it's just energy."
"Maybe," Ellee murmured.
The conversation shifted to safer topics—missions, monster types, school routines—but Ellee's mind was no longer present.
The way they moved, the way they smiled.
The way Xion had known her scar.
No one should know that. Except… them.
But she couldn't let herself believe it.
She had seen them die.
Flames.
Ash.
Screams.
Kael's red eyes wide in terror as the lab collapsed behind him.
Ellee set her cup down, standing abruptly. "Excuse me."
"Going so soon?" Maya asked gently.
Ellee nodded. "There's something I need to check in the surveillance tower."
As she turned to go, Xion's voice stopped her.
"Ellee."
She paused.
"…What?"
"Don't give up on your memories too quickly."
She glanced back, her expression unreadable.
"Memories aren't always kind," she replied. "And they lie sometimes."
Then she walked out.
The four watched her go, silence settling like fog.
"She's close," Viola whispered.
"She's still scared," Maya added.
"She's still Ellee," Zion said firmly.
Xion stood slowly. "Then we'll remind her—piece by piece."
---