"So it's you, Mr. Shin," Commander Woods said coldly. "What is the matter? Are you here to protect the boy?"
I leaned closer to Mira and murmured, "It's the dean. He just arrived."
"Commander Woods," Mr. Shin said, voice firm but controlled,
"He is an SSS-tier Core Pilot with limitless potential. Are you truly planning to injure him? That path won't end well—for you or for humanity."
"So what if he's SSS-tier?" Woods scoffed, jabbing a finger in my direction. "He's an arrogant brat who doesn't know his place. If he grows stronger, he'll become a disgrace to our people—and to the world."
"Commander Woods, you shouldn't judge him so hastily—"
"Enough! Silence!" Woods roared. "I am the Arca City Defense Commander. In all of Arca, aside from Governor Hawke, my word is law."
His gaze shifted to Mira, sharp and calculating.
"Since you're so determined to shield this trash, War Maiden, I'll grant your wish. You and he will sign a Corebond Contract—right now, in front of everyone."
Killing him outright would be troublesome with this old man watching, Woods thought. Crippling his future is far cleaner.
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
"Once a Corebond Contract is signed," the red-haired girl whispered, horrified, "The War Maiden and Core Pilot are bound for life. It can never be undone."
The black-haired boy let out a dry laugh. "He's trying to destroy Kairos without lifting a finger."
"Commander Woods—" Mr. Shin began.
"Mr. Shin," I interrupted calmly, "it's fine. It's just a bond, right?"
Shin stared at me. "Kairos… are you absolutely certain?"
Mira grabbed my sleeve, panicking in her eyes.
"I'm only an F-tier War Maiden. If you do this—your future—"
"Yes," I said without hesitation. "And unless you don't want to be with me, this changes nothing."
I glanced around the arena.
"Besides, if we don't sign this, I'm dead."
No one here knew the truth.
Mira isn't F-tier. Even if I bind my life to hers, I lose nothing.
"Very well," Woods said coldly. "Step up to the Mana Core. Activate the bonding process."
Mira and I approached together.
The moment our hands touched the Mana Core, power surged—threading through us, locking us together at a fundamental level.
"Kairos!" Asa screamed. "This is what happens when you cross me!"
"Done talking?" I replied casually, giving a small wave. "If so, we'll be leaving."
Asa froze. "Father… you're really letting them go?"
Woods smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Tomorrow is the final assessment. He won't walk out alive."
An SSS-tier is too valuable to kill openly, Woods thought. An 'accident' will suffice.
Mr. Shin's eyes darkened. He's planning something. I can't let Woods ruin him. I'll report this to Governor Hawke immediately.
*********************
Forest Outside Arca Academy
"I'm sorry, Kairos," Mira said quietly. "I dragged you into all of this."
"No," I replied firmly. "I chose you. No one dragged anyone."
"But I'm just an F-tier War Maiden," she said, voice shaking. "And you're SSS-tier. Your future—"
I laughed softly.
"Tell me, Mira. Who decided you were only F-tier?"
She froze. "…What?"
"Do you trust me?"
She didn't hesitate. "Yes. You're not just SSS-tier—you're double SSS-tier. And you still chose me."
"Then let's fuse," I said. "Once we do, you'll understand everything."
"Fuse…?" She swallowed. "O-Okay."
We clasped hands.
Red energy erupted, enveloping us both.
"Mira," I said gently, "I'm initiating the link."
She blushed, breath hitching.
"Ah—!"
Flames tore skyward.
A Valkyrie manifested.
Deep matte red armor formed its core, reinforced with black plating along the chest, shoulders, and joints. Its head retained a near-human shape—sharp jawline, narrow faceplate, crimson with black sensor lines. Twin antennas swept backward like horns.
From its back unfolded black, blade-like wings, their edges burning with living flame. Heat distorted the air as they moved—built not for elegance, but for domination.
System Message
Congratulations, Host.
You have bonded with SSS-tier Mystical Valkyrie: Red Ash
"…So the system wasn't exaggerating," I murmured.
"Mira really is SSS-tier."
"H-Huh?" Mira gasped, staring at her transformed form within the void-like cockpit space.
"This… this isn't what I awakened as."
"That's because this is your true frame," I replied.
"And my traits removed the limiter."
"Is this… because of you?" she whispered.
I surveyed the cockpit.
"So this is the Neural Link."
"Ah—!" Mira gasped again.
"What's wrong?"
"I—nothing!" she said quickly. "It's just overwhelming. I can feel everything you're outputting."
"That's the link syncing," I said. "Initializing Neural Link."
I touched the blue orb.
The world shifted.
"So this is the Neural Link Space…"
Red Ash moved, flames coiling around its fist.
"We did it," Mira whispered.
"Inferno Blast."
A torrent of fire erupted, annihilating a swath of forest over a mile long.
"…This power," I muttered.
"It dwarfs the academy simulators."
"Ah… Kairos…" Mira said breathlessly. "Your output is overwhelming. My body feels like it's burning."
"That's my Transcendent Energy Reserve," I realized.
"I'll throttle it down."
I steadied the flow.
"We'll stop here," I said gently. "It's our first link. We'll grow into it—together."
"O-Okay…"
The Valkyrie dissolved into light.
Mira collapsed into my arms, breathing heavily.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded weakly. "If it weren't for you… I would've stayed F-tier forever."
"You were never weak," I said. "They just couldn't see you."
She looked up at me, eyes steady despite her exhaustion.
"I've made my decision," she said quietly. "I will become your War Maiden—fully. I'll endure everything required of this bond."
I blinked.
"…Everything?"
She blushed—but didn't look away.
"Yes."