Most people approach because they want to win. Only a few are willing to understand.
——
Synovia International University · West Library Wing · 6:30 PM
Elizabeth Gwynne sat by the tall glass windows, the last light of dusk casting warm shadows across her table.
Two books were spread open in front of her—
One on social psychology, the other a case study collection on rural African education.
Beside them rested a yellow mechanical pencil.
When Elric approached, she looked up and smiled, easy and unhurried.
"I knew you wouldn't be late."
He sat down without response, his eyes skimming the pages.
"This chapter. You said I'd find it interesting?"
She nodded, flipping to a marked section and pointing to a paragraph.
"System stability," she read aloud, "is built on repeated compromises to the myth of human rationality."
"But under high-pressure structures, the more rational the individual—
the easier they are to sacrifice."
She glanced up at him.
"Sound familiar?"
Elric didn't answer directly.
He asked instead:
"Would you call it a sacrifice—
or a trade?"
Elizabeth's eyes sparked slightly.
"The way you frame questions… it's not typical."
He didn't respond.
Just looked back at the book, shown no expression.
A quiet stillness settled between them—
soft, but deliberate.
—
Library Corner · Someone Else
Across the room, Idris Vale lounged in a low sofa chair.
Headphones around his neck, fingers tapping absently on the edge of his laptop.
His gaze never lingered,
but it drifted—often—between Elric and Elizabeth.
The smile at his lips wasn't mockery,
nor curiosity.
It was the kind of smile
when something has just been confirmed.
He shut his laptop with a soft click, stood up.
He casually picked up a stack of papers as he walked past the printer,
a set of unclaimed psychological assessment forms
from Athena's external selection program.
He glanced through the questions, chuckled quietly:
"People really hate being valued by algorithms, huh?"
—
By the Window · Continued
"Most people I've met," Elizabeth said softly, "they talk to me because they want me to accept them."
"You're not like that."
"You leave a single thread in every conversation—
like you're watching,
waiting to see if I'll reveal something—
or prove I'm worth knowing how you actually think."
Elric paused.
Then looked at her.
"Why do you keep talking, then?"
She grinned.
"Because you remind me of the children we used to sponsor—"
"Alert. Brilliant. And completely unaware they're already glowing."
"You just don't believe the light's meant for you."
She closed one of the books, her voice softer now:
"Trusting someone isn't weakness. It's a skill."
"Not everyone has it."
Elric said nothing.
But his fingers moved—gently rubbing the edge of the desk.
His tension.
She noticed. But didn't say a word.
—
Before They Leave
Five minutes before closing, they walked together toward the exit.
Elizabeth glanced sideways:
"I'm always here in the evenings. If you don't mind…"
"Next time, I could bring something sweet."
"Though you don't seem like the sweet-tooth type."
Elric gave a slight nod.
"Not really."
She smiled.
"Alright. I'll bring something savory then."
As they stepped out of the library.
Elizabeth didn't look back.
She just waved once over her shoulder.
"Good night, Elric."
"Don't shut out warmth too early."
Her voice faded with the wind—
a quiet test
never quite asked aloud,
tucked gently into the night.
And Elric stood there for a while,
without turning.
——
[Chapter Closing Epigraph]
Some people come closer to ask—
"What can you offer me?"
Others come closer just to remind you—
You don't have to just survive.
——
[Next Chapter Preview]
Chapter 26 · The World Doesn't Wait for You to Be Ready—
It Only Watches What You Play.
A real trial, is about to begin.