Aurora Over a Dead World

"Students... today we’re going to try something interesting..." I say to them while looking at my phone. I can’t believe it’s been almost three months since I became a teacher. It’s really incredible how time flies.

’Urgh... three months and I still haven’t adapted to living like a civilian...’

Of course, my relationships with almost all of them are still shit. At best, Eirwen has improved her attitude toward me, and Ashlyn has been trying to make up for her past mistake by being more obedient.

"Professor Zenith, aren’t you leaving?" Tanya stands up, speaking in a strange tone.

"Leaving? Class just started. As far as I know, I need to work to earn money. Like, if I leave now, I’ll have given three minutes of class. Do you learn something just by looking at me?" I say sarcastically to her.

"...All the others lasted one month at most," she reinforces the question.

"...I’m not leaving, even if some people here are unbearable." Tanya catches the indirect jab, but instead of being annoying like always, she stares at me for a few seconds.

"..." And then she sits down. It’s even strange for her to act like this, but for some reason, they all seem interested in it.

’I missed something...’ I don’t know what I missed in that question, but it seems like they all wanted this answer?

"Whatever. Today I thought about taking all of you on a small mission!! I want to help you have better teamwork with real people! It won’t involve any fighting."

"I’m going to take you to a place where retired veterans go. The place always needs help, and it’s good for you to see the results."

"Professor!! Wouldn’t that be demotivating for us?" Charlotte asks innocently, maybe hoping I’ll lie.

"Probably. The place is full of people with problems they got in battles, but it’s good for you to see that, plus you can get experience."

"People missing limbs like me are super common there, along with several other problems. It’s also kind of dangerous because almost everyone there has powers, so don’t start fights. I’ve prepared a car to take us, so start heading out. It’s in front of the academy."

"Professor—" Before any of them can say anything else, I start walking away, ignoring their conversation. I thought it would be important for them to see how extremely easy it is to get hurt in this job.

In truth, I was extremely lucky to have Nadir by my side. My prosthetics are all thanks to Nadir. Without him, I would have been forced to retire and would never have gotten these prosthetics. Maybe with some effort, I could have gotten some common prosthetics.

But nothing close to the ones I have, because retirees can’t buy vector technology, and my current prosthetics are full of it. So I’m grateful to Nadir for getting them for me. That way, I didn’t retire and was able to keep buying these parts I need.

Besides, there isn’t even anything similar to my spine prosthetic among the normal prosthetics, so with money alone, I probably would never have walked again.

"Professor Zenith!! I have a question!" Eirwen runs toward me, catching up.

"Speak."

"Why have I never heard of a place where veterans gather?"

"Because it’s military information not disclosed to the public, even though it’s not a secret." It’s for these people’s privacy. They deserve a place where there are no strange looks directed at them.

"I don’t understand your reason for deciding to take us to this place."

"...To teach you empathy. To show you the situation of many. And to show you what might be your future. People like Astrid and Nadir are rare. Anything can happen in combat that can cause you a wound that can’t be completely healed."

"When I first arrived, some of you clearly mocked my prosthetics. Besides, your empathy for my situation was zero. Not out of malice, but because no one ever showed you how limiting it is to live like this."

"So I want you to see the situation of hundreds of people like me, so you can understand two of the most important things of all."

"And what are they?" she asks me curiously, and her willingness to learn brings a small smile to my face.

"The first is that life isn’t easy, nor will it go easy on you regardless of your talent. To show that anyone can end up in a lamentable situation by accident."

"...And the second... is to show how important it is to have someone you trust. I’m not going to be crazy and say doing everything alone is best."

"In fact, having an ally, someone you trust, and someone you know would stay by your side even if you became disabled is more valuable than any money, fame, or praise that comes with completing a dangerous mission."

"Eirwen, having a friend is one of the most valuable things on the battlefield. Many of these veterans we’re going to see didn’t have the right partner. They didn’t have a friendship that would stay with them until the end. Some were unlucky. Others were forgotten. Others simply had no one willing to keep fighting for them."

"And others didn’t even receive attention, because sometimes it’s not even about friendship, but about where your partner belongs. Even if your partner is someone who tries to help you, if they have no influence, it’s difficult... so yeah... the system was made to only favor those who help it, and not give hope to those who need it."

"Many of them would still have a future if there had been someone who fought for their rights. If you ever lose your legs, is there someone who would fight to give you new ones? And would that someone have the capacity to do so?" When I ask that, she makes a confused face.

"So I should only have powerful and influential friendships?" She doesn’t answer the question, because she has no one who would fight for her like that, but she asks a good question.

"...No, I’m not saying that. But in a way, I know it comes across that way. I think the point is, how far can they move the pieces? Would this person have the determination to speak with everyone, test all possible options, and try to reach a powerful person who decides to help? Or would they give up at the first difficulties? How much is your life worth in the eyes of that friendship?"

"I think it’s quite the opposite. If someone with no power or influence fights for you until the end, seeking help from whoever can help, then you’ve found a great person to be by your side."

"The military doesn’t give out equipment for free. These things are expensive. You only get them if you have someone who can fight for that right. Otherwise, you’re retired and abandoned."

"It’s not worth it from the military’s perspective to give prosthetics to someone they don’t even know will be able to return to fighting even with them. Many don’t adapt well to these heavy, complex metal pieces, so only those they’re sure have a future receive prosthetics, in an extremely bureaucratic and slow system."

"That sounds terrible... and cruel, like everything you show... isn’t there a way to improve that?" Her question is almost idiotic, but I know it’s genuine "stupidity." Not because there’s something wrong, but because it’s too hopeful.

"Just one of my arms is worth more than dozens of houses. It’s something absurdly expensive to produce and maintain. So if you don’t have someone who can prove your capability and fight for it, you’re abandoned by those you fought so hard for. There’s no way to improve that because resources are limited."

"Look at those five back there talking. They’re trouble, but if they’re loyal, it doesn’t matter how problematic they are. If they’re real friends who would fight to get you equipment, then keep the friendship, deepen your bonds, and fight for them too."

"Throughout life, you’ll meet many people. Some will be colleagues. Some will be friends. But try to build at least one bond so deep that, if your life falls apart, that person still chooses to stay."

"Have at least one who you know would do that for you and for whom you would do the same. Your safety isn’t guaranteed even if you’re a talent, but don’t be utilitarian. You also need to be willing to do this for another person. Be loyal, reciprocate, and fight for your friend who would fight for you."

"Because stars shine in the sky, but one day they go out. Your talent will be replaced in about ten years. No one will care about replacing you."

"No one except your friendships. Someone who will say you can still fight, that you deserve a chance. Of course, nothing guarantees you’ll get hurt, but nothing guarantees your safety either."

"Honestly, friendships like that are a gamble. It takes years, and you give time, loyalty, and effort without knowing if it will come back. So choose well. Don’t choose the favorite person or something like that. Choose who you faithfully believe would walk through a rain of bullets to carry you to safety."

"After all, you’ll have many friendships in your life, but only one or two people will do that for you." It was thirty years of friendship with Nadir. Thirty years living together. He did that for me, and I would do it for him. But I know that for many, this is something difficult.

When I say that, Eirwen gives me a smile. I get confused by her little grin.

"Why are you smiling?"

"I thought you were going to say friendships are worthless. That all that matters is strength and survival... like being a lone wolf."

"..." I don’t answer her. I never thought like that, but I think it’s because I always had Nadir. I always had a "friendship" like that since childhood, so I understand the value of an ally.

"The lone wolf dies alone, and the wolf with companions can be dragged to shelter."

"Professor... would you fight to give me prosthetics if I needed them?" When she says that, I stop walking and look at my hands, then look at Eirwen and the others. These girls who seem to have such promising futures but such problematic personalities.

"..." I stay silent for a few seconds, thinking if I would fight for these problematic students. If I would go so far as to create problems for myself for it.

"...It depends. What path will all of you follow? If it’s the right path and our bonds hold, I would fight to give you equipment, just as others fought for me in the past. Rivalry is good, but I think supporting other generations is important. I’m not an idealist. I’m not going to say I’d help everyone here when I don’t even know your futures."

"...You’re a nicer woman than I expected. Kind of bitter, but still nice." She walks past me, walking more cheerfully. All the others pass by me while I stand still, watching them.

’Nice...’ I don’t think anyone besides Nadir and Alice has ever called me nice before. Who would have thought the third person to consider me nice would be Eirwen, of all people, the one I gave harsh life lessons to.

"Haa... am I going soft?" I scratch my temples, pulling a lollipop from my clothes and putting it in my mouth as I start walking again. I know they all heard. I wonder what each of them thinks of what I said.