The car rolled quietly into an underground parking lot beneath a massive building, its tires echoing softly against the concrete walls before coming to a stop.
The engine died.
The silence felt heavy.
Ivan stepped out first. Lucy followed behind him, her shoes tapping lightly against the ground as they headed toward the elevator.
"Since you just came today," Ivan said calmly, pressing the call button, "it's best we take you to the medical center to treat any injuries you might have."
"Okay," Lucy replied.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding. They stepped inside.
Ivan pressed Floor 20.
As the doors closed and the lift began rising, Lucy's eyes drifted over the panel.
Fifty floors…? she thought.
There are about fifty different floors here… what do they even need all that space for?
Out loud, she asked, "What do you guys do with fifty floors?"
Ivan answered simply, "Some floors are for training. Some for research. Others for medical, accommodations for Guardians, meetings, and technical support."
"Okay," Lucy said.
He probably explained it like that because he thinks I'm just a kid…
She looked down at her small hands.
Well… this body is. But I'm not.
"So Floor 20 is medical, right?" she asked.
"Yes," Ivan said.
The elevator opened.
The medical floor smelled clean — almost too clean. Bright lights. White walls. Quiet footsteps.
Ivan guided her to a bed and helped her sit.
"Don't worry," he said gently. "I've called the doctor. They'll be here soon, okay?"
Before Lucy could answer—
"Come on, Commander."
A familiar lazy voice cut in.
Smith leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"I've been watching this whole time. That 'child' destroyed a lab that belonged to Chaos. Quit treating her like she can't take care of herself."
Lucy blinked.
Chaos…?
That's the name of the people that owned the lab?
She sighed internally.
This is getting complicated…
Ivan frowned slightly. "Don't be like that. She's still a child."
Daniel spoke up, calmer. "Well… I understand your frustration. It took us a while to find that lab through the kidnappers."
"They were kidnapping orphans and abandoned kids," Smith added. "Made it easier. Narrowed down their route."
He stretched.
"Whatever. I'm going to my room. I've had enough for today."
"I'll go too," Daniel said.
"Aren't you going as well?" a woman's voice called out.
Lucy turned.
A lady wearing a white coat with yellow lining approached.
Ivan nodded. "Yeah… you're right. Well, Lucy, I have to go now. Don't worry — she's a good person."
"Okay," Lucy said.
The woman smiled warmly.
"Hi. My name is Dr. Morgan. You can call me Morgan. Ivan asked me to check on you."
"Yeah… thanks," Lucy replied.
Dr. Morgan… one of the best doctors in Solmere…
Her eyes widened slightly.
Ivan called someone like her just for me…? He really likes kids, huh…
Morgan crouched slightly to meet her eye level.
"No need to be nervous. So what's your name?"
"My name is Lucy Meril."
Morgan froze.
"…Lucy… Meril?"
Her expression changed — just for a second.
Meril…? If her surname is Meril and nothing is happening… then that means…
There's no way Ivan didn't know… No wonder he called me personally… and kept watching her so closely…
Morgan quickly smiled again.
"Anything wrong?" Lucy asked.
"No, nothing," Morgan said smoothly. "Now let's get to the checkup."
"Okay."
Morgan raised her hand.
Soft yellow energy flowed out like warm sunlight, gently entering Lucy's body.
"Don't worry," Morgan said. "It's a technique for checking abnormalities."
Lucy nodded quietly.
After a moment—
"Well, nothing serious," Morgan said. "You just used more energy than your body can handle. You need better control… and time for your body to grow."
"Okay."
"And your hair — do you want to leave it like this or change the color?"
Lucy blinked.
Right… most people color their hair here…
Maybe… I could change it back… to what I had in my past life.
"Yes," she said softly. "I'd like my hair white."
Morgan tilted her head. "Did Smith tell you that?"
"No."
"Alright. We'll change it after you rest."
"Okay."
Two days later
Lucy stretched in her room.
I finally rested enough… and my hair's white again.
She touched it gently.
It feels… nostalgic.
Now I should train.
She clenched her small fists.
Energy is important… but my body matters too.
Hand-to-hand combat… that's what I need.
I should ask Smith.
Later — Training Room
"Sorry," Smith said lazily, scratching his head. "I can't really train kids like you. Commander would scold me."
Really…? Lucy thought.
You train the MC in the future but not me…?
Smith shrugged. "But we could go to the park. Lots of space. Maybe someone your age can help. And don't worry — both normal people and awakened ones train there."
At the Park
Lucy stood alone.
Wind rustled through the trees.
"…There's no one to help…"
She punched a tree.
Crack.
It bent.
"…Even the trees are too weak."
The few kids nearby had already backed away.
Smith was busy sparring with Warren.
Daniel was on a mission.
Even Commander Ivan wasn't around.
She sighed.
At least Smith properly taught me how to detect people and energy in the car… I can train that…
"But it can't be only that…" she muttered.
"Are you having any problem, little girl?"
Lucy jumped.
A woman stood beside her.
Silent.
Invisible.
Like she had always been there.
What—?!
I didn't detect her… not even when she got close…
Even looking at her feels like there's nothing there…
She swallowed.
"…I wanted to learn hand-to-hand combat," Lucy said.
"Why?"
"To protect something."
That something is me… but whatever.
The lady smiled faintly.
"Well… I could teach you. It's a special fighting style for girls. Light on their feet. Strong. Like you. Want to learn?"
Lucy's eyes lit up.
"Really? Thank you. I don't mind if it's specific — please teach me."
The woman chuckled.
"You were wary because you couldn't detect me… yet now you're smiling so brightly… I guess I can teach you that too."
"Thanks… but what's your name?"
"My name… huh… my name is—"
Present
Teen Lucy jolted awake.
"…A dream… of the past…"
She stared at the ceiling.
"I remember everything from that time…"
Her voice softened.
"…except her face. Her hair. Even her name…"
Silence filled the room.
"…Maybe I met someone I wasn't meant to."
She sat up and sighed.
"Ah… today's the day I start training Michael and Gideon…"
She rubbed her temples.
"And now that I'm in the story… Smith pushed everything onto me…"
"…Ahh…"
She stood.
"Well… I guess I just have to deal with it."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Things already turned out this way."
"I'll handle it.