The elevator doors closed, and the feeling of gravity pulling down made Aries' head throb slightly.

"Ari."

"Hmm?"

Aries looked at Maika, noticing she was staring intently at her.

"When did you and Victor meet?"

"Just yesterday. Why do you ask?"

"I'm just curious. It's nothing."

Aries nodded slightly, then looked at the elevator doors. She glanced at the button panel. Seventh floor already.

"Ari."

"Hmm?"

"Is your eye color hereditary?"

"...People say my eyes are like my grandmother's."

"Really?"

Maika was surprised, seemingly mesmerized by Aries' eyes.

Aries frowned slightly, feeling awkward.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah... I'm sorry."

"No, I was asking if there's something about my eyes that caught your attention?"

"You have heterochromia, which is really rare."

Aries was taken aback, and she looked at the elevator wall. She saw that her left eye was purple, and her right eye was... black. And her right eye throbbed a little, even though there was still white, the pupil was completely black.

"Ah... my right eye is like this because of an accident."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

Aries nodded slightly. In reality, she didn't know why her eyes were like this. "Why do I forget so many important things...?" Aries thought to herself.

Ting!

...Oh well.

"Ah, wait for me a sec."

Aries looked at Maika, puzzled. She pressed the close door button.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to change my appearance."

"?"

Aries frowned slightly, confused.

[Skill Level 3 Activated: Optical Illusion.]

Suddenly, a black flame appeared and surrounded Maika before engulfing her. Then, the flame vanished.

Aries blinked in surprise. Long, flowing white hair, red eyes... Maika had become a completely different person.

"...Mai- ...Ah, Vanessa?"

"This is how my illusion ability works."

Aries nodded slightly. She looked Maika up and down, blinking a few times. It was as if she didn't recognize the Maika she knew.

So different. Completely different!

"You look older."

"White hair doesn't always mean old, Ari-san."

Aries preferred Maika's original appearance.

Aries pressed the open door button. They stepped out, Aries noticing there were only a few people here, the rest must have gone somewhere.

Aries looked around, checking for any announcements.

"Hey, short hair."

A girl stood in front of Aries, arms crossed with a look of disdain. Aries frowned uncomfortably, but she forced a smile.

"Ah, is there something you need?"

First, just go along with this person.

"You're the one in the corner room, right?"

Aries looked in the direction she was pointing.

"Yeah, that's right."

"Why didn't you let me in yesterday?"

Aries smiled slightly despite her inner discomfort, realizing this was the person who had been banging on the door yesterday.

"Well, you know, you could have at least asked nicely, you didn't have to bang on the door like that. It scared me half to death..."

Aries feigned distress, clutching the fabric over her left breast. The other girl looked angry, grabbing Aries' shirt and pulling her closer.

"Do you know who you're talking to?! A trashy Level 2 like you dares to talk back to me?"

"Let go of me."

"You dare to open your mouth and speak-"

"Let. Me. Go."

Aries glared at her, her left eye glowing slightly. The girl flinched, slowly releasing Aries' shirt.

Aries adjusted her shirt. A hand grabbed her arm, Aries turned to see Maika looking at her with a worried expression.

"It's okay."

"I'm sorry..."

"You didn't do anything wrong, so don't apologize."

"Okay..."

Aries sighed softly, gently patting Maika's head to comfort her. The other girl saw Maika, recognized her, and pointed at her.

"Ah! You're the one who was sitting in the corner next to this girl's room yesterday."

Maika flinched, and Aries frowned in annoyance.

"So?"

"You're so selfish!"

The girl pointed directly at Aries' face.

"You took the room and left your friend outside?! You're such garbage!"

Aries felt many eyes on them. People on the floor were curiously and anxiously watching them talk.

Aries frowned. She hated being stared at, especially by so many people.

Her hand tightened slightly. Maika noticed Aries' tension, and she worriedly grabbed her hand to comfort her and looked at the other girl.

"Don't make false accusations, we only met this morning, we're not anything to each other."

"You're still defending your friend? You're even holding hands."

"So what? We're both girls, holding hands is normal."

"Enough."

Aries gently pulled Maika back, looking at the other girl.

"Red hair, green eyes, fair skin, and a pretty face, you must be very loved, right?"

"You noticed? I thought you were blind. Let me tell you, I-"

"But I feel sorry for your parents for having to spend money to raise and care for someone as brainless as you."

With that, Aries pulled Maika towards her room, leaving the other girl stunned and bewildered.

Aries pulled Maika into the room and closed the door. Immediately, they heard loud shouts and commotion outside.

"Aren't you afraid they'll retaliate for what you said?"

Maika looked at her worriedly.

"What I said was mild. Someone else would have slapped her... no, she might have lost a body part or something."

"Aaa..."

Maika didn't know what to say. Aries walked towards the table, looked at the lunchbox and water bottle on the table, and then looked at Maika.

"Are you still hungry?"

"I'm not, please eat, I'll wait for you."

Aries nodded slightly, sat down, and ate her lunchbox.

"Oh, I just found out that we need to gather at the Training Area at 8 PM."

"So, how many minutes are left?"

"30 minutes."

Maika said as she looked at the digital clock on the wall. Aries nodded slightly and continued eating.

Maika sat on the bed. She watched Aries eat her lunchbox and drink water. Her red eyes were fixed on Aries, full of curiosity about this person...