Shortly after they parted ways, Marina headed toward the dormitory specifically for new members of the Science Division.
"I wonder what awaits me there?"
"Hihi, I'm curious about what Valencia will be up to." While walking with the group, she adjusted her glasses.
After a long walk, the group finally arrived at the Science Division's new recruit dormitory. A soaring building stood before them.
"It's so tall. I wonder if Valencia's dorm looks just like this?"
"I better go inside first before I get scolded again." Satisfied with admiring the towering building, Marina stepped inside.
The interior was sophisticated and pristine; several small cleaning robots were busy with their tasks, and a large screen displayed information about The Haast headquarters. Marina walked toward the elevator and checked the floor guide.
"Hmm, ten floors. Let me check that strange card from earlier." She reached into her pocket and pulled something out.
Marina held the card the officer had given her before entering the hall that morning. After examining it, she realized something.
"So this is an access card. Why didn't they tell us? Oh well, it's not that important." Marina studied the access card; there was a number written on it.
"Number D203 and 5... maybe this indicates my room and floor?"
After looking at the card, her eyes searched for the button for the 5th floor.
"Aha, here it is. Fifth floor!"
Marina pressed the button, and the low hum of the elevator descending was heard. The doors opened, and Marina stepped in. A few moments later, the doors opened again, and she stepped out.
"Okay, fifth floor. Now, where is my room?" She looked around and found it.
"Room D203. Huh, there's a card reader on the door. Let's try it."
Marina tapped the access card. The automatic door slid open, and a wave of cool air hit her skin.
"Ehehe, my room is so nice and tidy!"
"Eh, there's even a hologram!" Marina walked in and saw a holographic model of The Haast headquarters on her desk.
Marina set down her bag and belongings, then took off her shoes and jacket.
"Hmm, I better take a shower first and then study later."
After tidying up her things, she took off her socks and glasses, then entered the bathroom. She began to undress and started cleaning herself.
A few days later, Marina had officially begun her training as a new member of the Science Division. She was seen with a white-haired girl named Alice Xenon, who was of the demon race. The two were walking together through a corridor toward a classroom inside The Haast's Science Division wing.
"Marina!" Alice looked at Marina, who had been walking with her head bowed.
"E-eh, what is it, Alice?" Marina was startled, and her glasses nearly slipped off.
"Why are you so nervous? What's wrong?!"
"Just relax, I'm right here as your new friend!" Alice's light blue eyes studied Marina.
"Y-yeah, thank you, Alice." Marina gave a thin smile toward Alice.
"Hehe, no problem!" Alice put her arm around Marina's shoulders, making her nervous again.
After a few moments, they reached the classroom where they would be studying.
"Hey, we're here. Let's go!" Alice immediately dragged Marina by her hand.
"He-hey, be careful!" The two entered the classroom, which was starting to fill with other students.
They sat in adjacent seats as the room gradually filled up. Finally, after a few minutes, a female professor entered the class.
"Alright everyone, allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Laura. I will be teaching this class and guiding you as new members of the Science Division."
"We will start immediately with an introduction to basic materials regarding... 'Leystream'."
Wearing a white lab coat, Professor Laura opened several notes and instructed a robot to begin writing on the chalkboard.
"So, Leystream is an energy that serves as the foundation of everything in this world. Without it, the world would lose its essence."
Meanwhile, in the back, Marina saw Alice looking bored by the explanation. She whispered softly to Alice.
"Hey, aren't you paying attention?" The small voice was heard by Alice, who looked drowsy.
"I'm bored. I already know this material. My parents taught me this stuff a long time ago." Alice rested her head on the desk. Professor Laura didn't seem to notice the two of them in the back.
"Really? I-in that case, you have to help me later." Marina glanced forward occasionally to avoid being caught.
"Hmm, fine. I'll help you as much as I can once we're done." Alice looked ahead; the chalkboard was now filled with writing and numbers.
To the right of Marina's seat, a blonde-haired girl with bright green eyes was focused on the board. The girl glanced slightly toward Marina and Alice.
"Psst, hey, aren't you two paying attention!?" Her voice was soft but reached Marina and Alice, who still had her head on the desk.
"Oh, I-I was just telling my friend something." Marina looked at the girl; her aura was the polar opposite of Alice's.
"Hmm, she looks like she's from the angel race," Marina thought as she gazed at the girl, who appeared calm and serious.
Suddenly, Professor Laura startled the three of them from the front.
"You three. Focus on the front and stop messing around, understood!" Her voice was firm and loud, making Alice snap awake.
"Eh, yes Professor!"
"Ugh, you two... now I've been caught!" Alice muttered, her eyes narrowing in displeasure.
"S-sorry, Alice." After that, the three of them refocused on the front.
Class continued until around 3 p.m. local time. Once finished, they walked out of the classroom, and Alice patted Marina's shoulder.
"Marina, let's head to the cafeteria before going back to the dorm!" Alice immediately dragged Marina along.
"Eh wait, you guys!" A familiar voice called out from behind.
They both turned around and saw the blonde girl Marina had noticed in class.
"Hmm, who are you?" Alice's eyes scanned the girl from top to bottom.
"I'm your classmate. My name is Iris Seraphina."
"By the way, you're from the demon race, right?" Iris pointed her finger at Alice.
This startled Alice and made her unhappy; she immediately pointed back at Iris.
"Hey, why are you pointing? Is it a problem for you if I'm a demon?!"
"Let me guess, you're from the angel race, right?!" Alice's eyes sharpened.
Marina, seeing this, immediately stepped in to mediate.
"Y-you two, stop. You're attracting everyone's attention."
Iris was surprised by Alice's rising tone.
"Hey, I was just guessing. I didn't mean to be hostile about this morning!"
"I was just curious about you two, that's all. Besides, I want to be friends!"
Iris quickly explained her intentions.
"Heh, fine then, Iris." Alice lowered her hand and began to ask something.
Once the situation calmed down, Iris asked Alice about the Leystream material from earlier.
"Alice, you seem to have a deep understanding of Leystream, right?"
"Can you explain it to me? To be honest, Professor Laura's theories were giving me a bit of a headache!"
Iris looked at Alice, who was still pouting from the earlier confrontation.
"Yeah, I already know about Leystream. My parents taught me when I was a kid." Crossing her arms, Alice replied to the curious Iris.
The corridor was quite crowded, but Alice and Iris had managed to catch the attention of most people due to their near-altercation.
"Huft, we should talk about this in the cafeteria together. I'm hungry!" Alice turned around and walked away, followed by Iris and Marina.
The three of them walked toward the Science Division cafeteria, passing through several corridors filled with other students. After a while, the sound of a crowd grew louder, and they finally arrived.
"Do you guys want to get some food or drinks?" Alice looked at Marina and Iris.
"I might just get a drink. And Marina...?"
Iris looked at Marina; her face looked tired, and her glasses were fogged up.
"Eh, I'm not hungry or thirsty. No need for me, hehe." Marina gave a thin smile, declining the offer.
Suddenly, Alice pinched Marina's cheek.
"Come on, friend! You must be hungry because of us. I'll get some food for you!"
Alice then walked off to get some food and drinks.
"E-eh, I said no, ugh!" Marina's face scrunched up.
Alice turned back and called out to the annoyed Marina.
"Hehe, drop it, Marina. I'm your best friend; I won't let my friend go without eating while I'm having a meal!"
Iris patted Marina's shoulder.
"Alice is right. It's not nice if one friend doesn't join in while the others are enjoying themselves, ehehe."
Iris looked at Marina sincerely, making Marina's eyes glisten.
"Y-you two, thank you." Seeing Marina happy again, Alice walked back, followed by Iris and Marina.
Once they were ready, the three of them sat at a table near a window that showed the outside view.
"So, can you tell us about that material?" Iris, sipping her apple juice, looked at Alice who was eating.
"Mmm... alright. So, Leystream is the foundation of everything, just as Professor Laura said, and everything is created from it. According to legend, Leystream itself created this universe!"
Alice began to tell the legend of how Leystream created everything.
"Long ago, before the universe was formed, there was only void everywhere. Then, from that void, a starting point for this world emerged. It is believed that point appeared because the Primordials used the power of Leystream to create the world and its contents."
"And the Primordials, according to legend, they existed long before the universe was formed?!"
"Wait, let me get my tablet."
Iris reached into her bag and took out her sophisticated tablet.
"Primordials... the thirteen gods believed to be the guardian gods of this universe."
"Bahamut, Hydra, Leviathan, and the others. They are the ones who hold the supreme power in the entire universe."
Iris's tablet displayed the forms of the Primordials.
"They are our guardian gods, the gods we believe in." Iris closed her tablet and put it back in her bag.
Alice finished her food and then asked for permission from Iris and Marina to return her tray to the cleaning station.
A moment after Alice left, a bell rang, signaling that the break was over. Iris and Marina began to pack their things and threw their trash into the nearby bin. Alice returned and also started packing her belongings.
"Next time, I'll explain in more detail. Don't worry, you two, I'm reliable, hehe." Alice chuckled.
"Hehe, alright then. I'll be waiting for your info!"
"Is that everything? Let's head back to the dorms." Iris led the way, stepping ahead of Alice and Marina.
"Hey, wait...!" Alice caught up, followed by Marina.
As they walked, Marina caught a glimpse of the view outside and thought about something.
"I never thought I'd find new friends. I thought only Valencia would want to be friends with someone as strange as me. Oh well, I better catch up with them."
The sound of their footsteps echoed along the corridor as many other students were also returning to their dorms.