Orin Alpheratz (15 years old) Location: Solaris Date: Year 873 / Pegasus Cycle (1) / Craftsman's Day (5)

When Orin opened his eyes, the morning sun was already peeking through the window blinds, casting warm streaks of gold across the floor. The air was fresh, filled with the soft melody of birdsong, so peaceful it almost made him forget the strange dream he'd had.

Almost.

There had been a voice. Faint, like it came through water, yet oddly clear at the same time. He couldn't remember the words, or even the tone, only that it didn't belong to anyone he knew.

"...Probably nothing," he muttered, ruffling his hair before dragging himself out of bed. Dreams were just dreams.

He got dressed, strapped on his training gear, double-checked everything, out of habit more than necessity, and headed out.

The class today was “Group Tactics.” Back at the military school, these kinds of exercises had always been held outdoors. But now, here at Solaris, the assignment listed “Dome C” as the meeting point.

Orin had heard about the domes. Everyone had.

Behind the main building stood five massive biodomes, each designed to simulate different environments. Forests, ruins, swamps... some students said they even had real wildlife inside. Each dome also had elevated seats, like mini stadiums, for the rest of the student body to observe.

As Orin approached Dome C, the faint sound of rushing water met his ears. The second he stepped inside, he stopped dead in his tracks.

“...Whoa.”

The dome was huge, so big he instinctively looked up to find the ceiling, only to be met with a shimmering sky illusion: sunlight streaming through thick branches, leaves swaying in an artificial breeze. The air even smelled like moss and wet earth. Trees of all sizes stretched out in every direction, and a glittering stream snaked through the landscape.

“Not bad, right?” A familiar voice called.

Orin turned. “Eridus!”

The taller boy grinned and offered a fist. “You made it.”

“Barely,” Orin muttered, bumping his fist. “But I didn't expect the dome to be this spacious. It looks... real.”

Aside from glimpses of the stands and part of the roof, the battlefield was a near-perfect replica of a forest. Orin couldn't help but wonder what the other domes looked like.

“Yeah, it's impressive,” Eridus agreed, gazing around just as awestruck.

“Wait, so this is your first time too?”

“Yup. First-years don't usually get to train in the domes,” Eridus said with a shrug.

They weren't alone for long. Students continued to stream in, far more than had been in class yesterday. Orin quickly noticed a mix of uniforms: both the sorcery and warrior tracks had been called together for this excercise.

The chatter quieted the moment a new figure stepped into the clearing.

A man, mid-forties maybe, with an air of calm that didn't belong in a battlefield. His green eyes sparkled like glass behind delicate spectacles, and his long blue hair was tied to one side, cascading like water over his robe, an ornate garment adorned with swirling sigils in vibrant colors. He walked as if the world around him didn't quite touch him.

“That's Professor Argo Velorum,” Eridus whispered. “Top strategist in the academy. And supposedly an insane water wizard.”

“Definitely not from Solaris,” Orin murmured, acknowledging that he looked like a foreigner.

“Doselis, maybe? Not sure.”

Professor Velorum stepped into the center and cleared his throat. His voice, when it came, was calm and steady.

“My name is Argo Velorum. I am a professor in the sorcerer course, and this year, I will also oversee group tactics.”

Orin straightened instinctively. Around him, students leaned in, already drawn to the professor's presence.

"As the students of the knight course know, the greatest strength of the Solaris knights lies in their formidable defense. This often means that their role is more tactical than offensive. A shield that protects can complete missions with minimal casualties, but such efficiency is only possible when coordination and teamwork match individual skill.”

Orin noticed how well the professor's words were received. Some students nodded in agreement, others whispered approvingly to one another.

Velorum paused, scanning the group with a thoughtful gaze. Then he continued:

“Today, we'll be forming mixed teams: sorcerers, knights, and warriors together. I will choose six leaders from the knight course based on your performance reports from yesterday's class. Each leader will then be assigned four members to form a five-person squad.”

A collective murmur of assent passed through the crowd. Orin could feel a surge of tension and anticipation ripple through the students.

“You'll have a few minutes to strategize, and then... one-on-one battles. Keep in mind that the matchups will be decided randomly. Any questions?”

No one dared raise a hand.

“Are you sure he's going to put us on the same team?” Orin whispered to Eridus. “He seems like someone who takes this kind of thing really seriously.”

“I hope so,” Eridus replied, sounding less certain. “In the sorcerer course, he's usually more relaxed and flexible... but who knows?”

As they spoke, Professor Velorum had already begun calling out names. Two students had stepped forward and were now standing next to the professor.

“The third leader will be Perseus Mirfak,” he announced.

Perseus walked confidently to the front of the group.

“The fourth leader: Kuma Arrakis.”

As Kuma made his way forward, Orin couldn't help but wonder if he'd even be considered for leadership. He was new, after all, and if selection was based on yesterday's performance, he wasn't sure how he'd fared. Still, only two names remained.

“The fifth leader will be Orin Alpheratz.”

Orin froze. For a moment, he stood completely still, unsure if he'd heard correctly. It wasn't until he felt a nudge on his back from Eridus that he snapped out of it.

“Go on, get up there,” Eridus whispered with a grin.

Still stunned, Orin made his way to the front, acutely aware of the eyes now on him.

“And finally,” Velorum continued, “the sixth leader: Hector Maasym.”

Of course.

Orin felt the atmosphere dim a little as Hector swaggered forward.

And so... the selection ended. Orin stood alongside the other leaders. On one side of him stood Kuma, whom he barely knew, and on the other, unfortunately, was Hector. Orin tried to ignore his presence.

Professor Velorum walked over to a tree near Hector, and for the first time, Orin noticed a wooden box lying at its base. The professor picked it up and returned to the group.

“Now we'll draw match pairings. We'll begin with Hector Maasym,” he said, handing the box to Hector. “The number you draw will determine your opponent in the first round.”

Hector reached into the box and took his time before pulling out a small wooden badge. He looked at it and smiled.

“Number 4,” he said.

“So, the first match will be Team Hector Maasym versus Team Kuma Arrakis,” Professor Velorum announced with a surprisingly festive tone.

A wave of chatter and murmurs spread through the student body, clearly, this was a matchup that many found exciting.

“Next, Orin Alpheratz,” the professor said. “Draw a number.”

Orin stepped forward and reached into the box a bit nervously. His fingers brushed across the wooden plates until he pulled one out.

The number was framed in elegant gold patterns: 5.

“Wait! Professor, I got number five... that's me,” Orin said, slightly embarrassed. A few students chuckled.

“Don't worry, draw again,” the professor replied with a small smile.

This time, Orin didn't hesitate. He reached back into the box and quickly drew another badge.

“Number 3,” Orin said. “Wait, number 3 is Perseus!”

“That's right, number 3: Perseus Mirfak... so with that, we have our last two matches,” the teacher announced. “Now I want the leaders to separate from each other, and once you're far enough away, I'll take each of you four students to your group.”

After that, Orin stepped away from the rest of the leaders and wandered toward a quiet stream trickling through the trees. The scent of damp leaves and the chill of running water grounded him as he knelt by the bank, his fingers brushing the surface.

He tried to think about how he could coordinate a group composed of sorcerers and warriors, especially considering that he would have to face Perseus as an opponent.

Perhaps he could use the terrain to his advantage.

He was still lost in thought when footsteps crunched through the underbrush behind him. Professor Velorum emerged with four students in tow, one of whom towered above the rest: his friend, Eridus.

“Team Orin Alpheratz will consist of one more knight, two sorcerers, and one student from the warrior course,” the professor declared, gesturing to the students behind him. “I trust you'll coordinate well and put up a good fight in the second round. I'll leave the introductions to you. When I call everyone, the matches begin.”

With that, the professor turned and vanished into the woods like a ghost, leaving them in an awkward silence.

Orin stood, brushing his hands off on his trousers, trying to think of the best way to break the ice. But he didn't have to.

A boy with messy brown hair and storm-grey eyes all but launched himself toward him, practically glowing with excitement.

“You're Captain Alpheratz's son, right?! I've been dying to talk to you ever since that fight with Perseus! Those moves you pulled off were insane!”

The boy grasped Orin's hand with an exaggerated shake, his enthusiasm radiating like heat from a forge. Orin vaguely remembered him from the knights’ course.

“By the way, I'm Sirius Canus! Knighthood student!” He said in one breath. “Man, I can't wait to kick Team Perseus's ass... Not that I hate him or anything, but rigid fighting styles make me yawn. I mean, sure, defense is important, but c'mon—”

“Hey, hothead,” a sharp voice cut through his monologue.

A girl stepped forward, her brown hair tied in a tomato-shaped bun, a bow slung across her back and a quiver of arrows at her hip. Her grey eyes locked onto Sirius like a hawk spotting prey.

“Maybe let the team leader breathe before you start ranting. You'll have plenty of time to complain about fighting styles later.”

Sirius backed off instantly, bowing his head with mock solemnity.

“Okaaay,” he said, dragging out the word in a tone of exaggerated apology, hands raised like he was surrendering.

Ignoring him entirely, the girl stepped up to Orin and spoke in a firm, businesslike tone.

“I'm Cor Caroli. Warriors course. I specialize in long-range combat. You want something shot, I'll hit it.”

Orin nodded, a little surprised by her intensity, then turned to the remaining members. One of them stepped forward without hesitation, but for Orin, no introduction was needed.

“Eridus Achernar. Water sorcerer. I can handle both offense and defense, whatever you need.”

Of course. That was just like Eridus, always reliable.

Finally, the last girl stepped forward. She was smaller than the others, with soft features and long light brown hair that shimmered like honey in the sunlight. Her almond-colored eyes met Orin's briefly before darting away.

“I-I’m Gina Kraz. Earth sorceress. I'm better at defense... and trap-making,” she said softly, then gave a timid smile.

With everyone introduced, Orin straightened up, a quiet fire lighting in his chest. This was his team. His responsibility.

“I'm Orin Alpheratz,” he said, voice firm. “Knighthood student. I'll be leading this team. Given our composition... I think if we play to our strengths and use the terrain to our advantage, we stand a good chance against our opponents.”

The team's reactions were mixed.

Eridus nodded, Cor looked unsure, Gina remained visibly nervous... and Sirius, as expected, was fired up.

“YEAH! That's my captain's brain at work!” He cried, punching the air.

Cor, clearly unimpressed, crossed her arms and asked bluntly, “Use the terrain how, exactly? If we had hunters or assassins, ambushes would be easier... but with two knights...”

“I'm guessing you have a plan?” Eridus added calmly.

Sirius groaned, muttering something about “killing the mood,” but Orin was deep in thought.

“I've only known Perseus since yesterday,” he began, “but I can tell, he's a textbook fighter. Straightforward. Confident in his defense. And... I hate to admit it, but I'm not on his level yet. Not in a direct duel.”

He glanced at each of his teammates in turn.

“But this isn't a duel. This is a team exercise. There's a reason we're a mixed group, and there's a reason the battlefield is what it is. If we think creatively, we can control the flow of the fight and catch them off guard.”

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, one by one, they nodded. Cor's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Gina looked unsure, but determined. Even Sirius had gone quiet, his expression finally serious.

“Do you already have a plan?” Cor asked.

“I do,” Orin replied. “Listen closely.”

Then, in a low voice, he outlined the roles each of them would carry out. Just as they finished going over the plan and everyone nodded in agreement, they heard the teacher's voice calling them for the match to begin.