Before the Sun had even risen over the eastern horizon, my eyes were already open. As a secondary school student, naturally, the first task was to prepare myself for the journey across the city to arrive on time.

This is an old and vast city, known as Jayakarta. Situated on the island of Java, it forms part of the Pasundan Metropolis, in the Province of Java, within the Territory of Greater Nusantara. Prior to the Fusion-Aleph era, it was the former capital of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, then called Jakarta.

During the war that took place three centuries ago, the city was ravaged by ballistic missiles, claiming millions of innocent lives. What made it all the more heartbreaking was that Indonesia had been a non-aligned nation and did not participate in the Third World War.

Nevertheless, Indonesia held strategic value due to its natural resources. This made it a target for both the Axis and Allied blocs. The country, however, survived—thanks to the technology developed by Ailia Anandta, the founder of the Kingdom of Admaspheria. At least, that is what the state has always taught its people.

At precisely six o’clock, my feet began moving, guiding me towards the nearest station from the apartment I currently call home. I prefer setting off earlier to avoid the commuter rush on the city's favourite mode of transport.

It has been four months since I settled in the South Jayakarta District, once a highly prestigious area in the old city of Jakarta. The echoes of its former vibrance can still be felt strongly to this day.

The city has undergone a complete transformation—it no longer resembles the dereliction seen in historical records. The state has truly rebuilt it with serious intent, as evidenced by the remarkable orderliness that was once thought to be no more than a dream.

All transport networks across the country are unified. Citizens can even travel between territories using nothing more than the Universal Resident Card issued by the Confederated Monarchy of Admaspheria.

A light drizzle fell from the sky, as if to accompany my steps in haste towards school. It is called Bakti Bangsa Secondary School, an institution operated under Weyfert International.

This is, of course, a state school. Schools are no longer named based on their district or fragment of location. Since the founding of the Admaspherian Monarchy, the government has allowed state schools to be named according to their institutional vision and mission.

By 6:20, I had arrived at the school gates, which stood impressively grand. The building has five storeys, styled in a modern contemporary architectural design, with large glass panels forming its façade. State schools in Admaspheria now look like this—no longer like the ones shown in historical documentaries.

To the nation’s founder, education and healthcare are the principal pillars of prosperity. That is why the education system here is far more advanced than in any other country. Teenagers above the age of fifteen generally master material equivalent to pre-Fusion-Aleph secondary school graduates and are competent enough to join the workforce.

In other nations outside the Confederation League, graduates from Admaspheria’s secondary schools can go straight into the final four semesters of university. They say the education system here is so advanced that it produces superior individuals.

“You seem to be deep in thought?” someone asked as she took a seat beside me.

I nodded. “Of course. I feel incredibly grateful to be alive in this era.”

She sighed. “You’re right. After hearing what the history teacher said, it’s hard to believe how broken this nation once was. Its leaders were so busy enriching themselves they forgot all about the education of future generations.”

“Isn’t that a blessing in disguise?” I replied.

She nodded. “Absolutely. Even the price of basic necessities in this country hasn’t changed since it was founded 273 years ago.”

“Just imagine what would’ve happened if a politician had been the one to build this nation. We’re lucky Her Majesty Ailia Anandta was a generous scientist.”

She nodded again. “You’re right. Even our current empress, Annastasia Althalie, is taking the country to even greater heights and consolidating peace across the entire world.”

Annastasia Althalie—the name of the IMPERATRIX—hasn’t even held the throne for a full year. She is the first wife of Aldrich Anandta. Under her rule, a massive global budget has been allocated to education.

Her marriage seventeen years ago marked a turning point for the world, and since then, Earth has enjoyed a peace so steady it almost feels surreal.

There has been not even the faintest ripple of conflict—Teana Taffelt and Annastasia Althalie truly embody what it means to lead. Across the cosmos, citizens live in harmony, each part playing in perfect synchrony.

“They say there’s a transfer student from Rayseans today,” said the girl beside me, her face serious.

“Really? Is it part of a student exchange programme?”

She shook her head. “According to rumours, she’s the smartest girl at Weyfert, but she chose to transfer here because she wanted to see the outside world.”

The top student at Weyfert is the best in the entire world. Everyone knows the silver-haired girl named Aldelynn Amelia. The rumours had been making the rounds lately, but I never imagined they’d turn out to be true.

“Aldelynn Amelia?” I asked, incredulous.

She nodded. “I’ve confirmed it. She’s living in the penthouse suite at Anahira Apartments.”

There must be something the state is aiming for—why else would someone of Aldelynn’s calibre enrol here? Perhaps the government is striving for balance and equal access to education, sending her here as a symbol of that mission.

I couldn’t quite understand it.

Time passed quickly, and as students of Class XI-1, it made sense that Aldelynn would be placed here. And just as suspected, the student ranked 32nd was moved down to Class XI-2 to make room for her.

She was beautiful. Her silver hair shone brilliantly, and her eyes were a soft grey. Her skin was fair, but not pale, and she had an almost ethereal quality—made even more striking by her rose-pink lips, not quite thin but not full either.

She stood about 156 centimetres tall—a little shorter than me. And, frankly, her figure immediately caught the attention of the boys in our class. Yes, her body was stunning. I had to admit that, too.

“Good morning. I’m Aldelynn Amelia. Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you, Aldelynn,” we replied almost in unison.

“Thank you,” the girl said curtly, then walked slowly towards the only empty seat—right next to mine.

Our eyes met briefly before she settled her slender frame into the chair. She took out her own laptop and set aside the device provided by the school.

Her gaze was icy. She was already typing something on her screen—about 44 centimetres diagonally—with remarkable speed. I recognised it instantly: low-level programming language.

“Nice to meet you, Aldelynn,” I greeted her.

“Hmm,” she murmured, not even glancing my way.

Alright, I get it—she’s not the sociable type. They say she’s a very particular and special kind of person.

“You’re Sekar Rahayu, aren’t you?”

I stared at her, stunned. How on earth did she know that? She hadn’t even looked in my direction when she said my full name.

“Y-yes… you can call me Sekar,” I replied awkwardly.

“Ayu,” she said, then turned her sharp gaze to me. “Ayu means beautiful, doesn’t it?”

I nodded. “Of course. But Rahayu means safety and prosperity.”

“I know,” she replied, returning her attention to her laptop screen. “It’s alright if I call you Ayu, isn’t it?”

I nodded again. “I don’t mind at all.”

Turns out, she wasn’t that bad. Though, she did seem very cold—especially towards the boys. Throughout the day, plenty of my male classmates tried talking to her, but she completely ignored them. She remained distant from everyone. Until, eventually, the school day came to an end.

I caught sight of her parents picking her up in a luxurious saloon car. Her father had silver hair, while her mother’s was brown.

She looked more like her mother, but her frosty demeanour was definitely her father’s doing. An extraordinary mix, truly.

“Adrianto,” said Aldelynn’s mother, which made me jump slightly. “Thank you for looking after my daughter.”

“O-of course… b-but how do you know my surname?”

She smiled gently. “Of course I know.”

They left after Aldelynn offered a faint smile. I had no idea how she—or her mother—knew my surname. After all, school policy strictly forbade the use of family names within the premises, by government regulation.

Trying to brush it off, I took my usual route home. The drizzle that continued to fall on Jayakarta added a poetic calm to the twilight, dimmed by the clouds hanging heavy overhead.

Not far from the station, someone was waiting for me. It was Cavalry Hamzah Ridwan, the superior who often issued orders regarding my assignments.

Yes, I may be a sixteen-year-old secondary school student in Class XI—but I’m also a graduate of Pelita Nusantara Junior High School, whose alumni are directly assigned as personnel under the National Police, Epsilon Corps.

“Good evening, Cavalry Ridwan,” I greeted, saluting him.

“Good evening, First Infantry Adrianto. It’s good to see you again,” Cavalry Hamzah replied, returning the salute.

“Is there something to report?”

He nodded slightly. “I’ve been instructed by Inspector Hartini to deliver the details of your next assignment.”

He handed me a digital letter of assignment outlining the mission ahead. Truthfully, I wasn’t keen on leaving Jayakarta.

To my great surprise, Inspector Hartini ordered me to remain here in Jayakarta—and to keep watch over Aldelynn. According to her, Aldelynn is a national asset far too valuable to be left unattended. There needed to be someone close by at all times.

“Aldelynn Amelia Parschberg… So that’s her family name,” I said, glancing at Cavalry Ridwan.

He nodded. “Correct. Her father, Amelia’s, is Carl Parschberg—a soldier of the Ventus Imperium Sigma Command. He once served as the right hand of SIRIUS.”

No wonder Aldelynn’s mother knew my surname. Everything started to make sense the moment I learned that her father had once stood beside SIRIUS.

“But, Cavalry… how am I supposed to get close to Aldelynn? She’s incredibly distant—or at least, that’s what I observed all day.”

He smiled. “That’s your mission, First Infantry. You’ll have to navigate it as best you can. She’s a valuable asset to the Confederated Monarchy of Admaspheria. Complete this assignment, and there will be promotions and commendations awaiting you.”

Cavalry Ridwan saluted, and I returned the gesture before he turned and took his leave.