Aurora Over a Dead World

Chapter 1: A Weapon of War Becoming a Teacher.

"...Nadir, I didn’t need this... I’m perfectly fine, and the fact that you think I’m better as a teacher than a war commander honestly frustrates me," I say to Nadir beside me, this person who means so much to me.

But who can be truly insufferable with his overprotectiveness, just because he holds a higher rank and greater authority he thinks he can reduce me to a mere teacher.

"Zenith, please, let’s not have another fight... I’m just trying to give you a better life... you don’t need to snap at me so much... I’m sorry for making you become a teacher to a bunch of rebellious girls... but come on, it can’t be that bad."

"Let’s go meet the ’Headmistress’ so she can tell you who you’ll be tutoring and your new assignment," Nadir says, and for a moment I stop. Nadir, noticing I’ve stopped, also halts and looks at what I’m staring at.

I gaze at the glass of this shop in front of us. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my reflection, so being in the peace of the city and being able to look at shops feels strange.

"You’re not ugly, Zenith..." he says, and I let out an ironic laugh.

"Ugly, maybe not, but you can’t exactly call this beautiful, can you? Just look at these prosthetics." I am a tall woman, 37 years old, 176 centimeters in height. I have long, vibrant dark blue hair and golden eyes, with black X-shaped pupils.

And my appearance is indeed beautiful—until you look at my legs and arms, which are metallic prosthetics, and my entire spine is a metallic extension, along with a long metallic tail that allows me to move.

Without this metallic tail connected to my entire spine and these prosthetics, I’m just a torso that can’t even move. Nadir, on the other hand, is a tall man of 180 centimeters, with a strong, well-trained physique, but without exaggerated muscles. He has a handsome build and a charming face, with dark blue hair and golden eyes with X-shaped pupils, also 37 years old.

He graces the covers of major magazines whenever something relevant needs to be said to the public, and he’s an extremely respected military commander. It’s like comparing a glass of water with a bit of mud to a glass of wine with gold leaf.

"Haa... Zenith, we’re quite alike, you don’t need to feel lesser because of the prosthetics, they’re cool—"

"Don’t call prosthetics cool, especially not to a woman, don’t be so rude." When I say this with an irritated expression, he falls quiet. We continue on in an unsettling silence.

"I know you’re angry because I practically got you expelled, but I don’t want you as a commander either... people don’t respect you or give you the value you deserve, and... I don’t want you to take risks..."

"You abused your power to demote me. Do you think apologies will make me like your decision?" I pull a lollipop from the lab coat I’m wearing and put it in my mouth. My casual clothes don’t even compare to the white suit with insignias of achievement that Nadir is wearing right now.

"Zenith... we are one. I wouldn’t accept you getting hurt. These battles have already taken too much from you..."

"Yes, we are one, and that’s why your betrayal infuriates me. You didn’t even tell me anything, just ripped me from my post with the power you had. You’re lucky we’re the same living being, or I swear I’d stab you in the chest for this betrayal." How I hate that Nadir and I are the same being split into two.

"...How cruel..." he says, but despite my current hatred, I’m worried that this stubborn fool will die without me there to save him.

’If I only knew which of us is the real one...’ If I knew, we could let assimilation happen, but since neither he nor I know who the real one is, we don’t want the other to disappear.

If Nadir were the real one, I would gladly vanish so he could become our "true self," but if I were the real one, I would not let us become one again. The uncertainty is terrifying.

"...Looks like we’re here," he says as we stop at a small coffee shop. I bite the lollipop, hearing the crack as I put the stick in my pocket. Inside is the ’Headmistress’ we came to meet. The moment we enter, I immediately spot her.

Astrid Cassandra Sterling, the famous [Valkyrie] in the flesh. Who would have thought this woman would help Nadir strip me of my post.

’This old hag...’ She is a short girl, with a physique reminiscent of an adolescent just beginning puberty, with long silver hair and eyes of a golden and intense dark green hue. She has small breasts and few curves, almost clashing with her real age, yet she carries a heavy, intense aura that hints at her experience.

Of course, this 72-year-old hag with an adolescent’s body will one day pay dearly for helping Nadir take me out of my position. If she weren’t so troublesome to deal with and didn’t have so much authority, things wouldn’t stand like this.

"Nadir and Zenith... how good to see you here," she says to the two of us as we approach her. Nadir sits first while I sit on the other side of the café’s cushioned sofa, my metallic tail bracing against the structure of the armrest with a grating sound I’ve learned to get used to.

"..." Astrid looks at my tail with pity.

"Are you doing well?" she asks as if she genuinely cares.

"Oh no, couldn’t be better than this, hahaha, I can even walk," I say with sarcasm, since without this damn tail and spinal support I wouldn’t get off the floor.

"It’s the best we have for your... condition."

"I know, I know, the best... just say what you have to say already." I am not polite with her. She doesn’t deserve my courtesy after being one of the main culprits in my demotion, the post I worked so hard to earn, taken from me because Nadir can’t stand the possibility of me dying, even though he could also die at any moment.

"Zenith, you should be more grateful. Many would love to be in your position. It’s practically a retirement!! Most only get to leave the war after 60, and the majority die long before that. You’re not only alive but got out at 37," Astrid says as if this were a good thing.

"...I didn’t ask to leave. Besides, between dealing with problematic brats and a war against monsters? Wow, war is definitely what I’d choose." Nadir facepalms because of my attitude, and Astrid seems uncomfortable.

"There are six talented girls, powerful talents of this current generation... but all with serious attitude problems..." Astrid changes the subject, taking the cue.

"Hahaha, Astrid, who doesn’t have attitude problems in this world? Be serious!! We live on a floating island with limited space that could fall at any moment while young people are sent to war to die in battles against monsters. I’d be shocked if there were anyone normal among these girls."

"After all, they’re just weapons." When I say this, Astrid furrows her brows at me.

"...Please don’t call people weapons, Zenith. That’s inelegant," Astrid stops being patient with my attitude.

"So sending super powerful young people to their deaths doesn’t mean they’re weapons? Things really have changed now that the young ones got the newest equipment. Must be nice not having to install something that’s practically a bomb inside the brain."

"Okay, now you’ve truly pissed me off, you ungrateful brat, yo—" Astrid stands up, slamming the table, but stops speaking when she sees Nadir’s glare. She notices Nadir’s fingers and her body shudders for a moment.

"Nadir, stop being possessive," I tell him, and he stays silent for a moment before answering.

"...Sorry." He lowers his fingers as Astrid snarls at both of us.

"You two are truly irritating, one just like the other. Here." She tosses a folder at me.

"These are your new students. You must be at Axis K Academy in one week to take care of them. They will be entirely your responsibility. I hope you teach the new generation well and make these girls useful... and yes, they’re weapons. Happy now? So make them useful weapons instead of ticking time bombs." Astrid stands up, throwing money on the table with disgust.

"..." She looks at both of us as if we’re the problem here and leaves, while I hear the chime of the café door ring.

"Zenith, you really have a terrible attitude."

"My attitude would be better if I didn’t have to be here... seriously, Nadir, do you think an old war weapon like me can adjust to living among civilians and teaching people?"

"What could I possibly teach problematic young girls? All I know is killing, destroying, and giving orders to people. I am not a tutor." I look at this folder in front of me.

"...Zenith, I will come see you whenever I can so we can ’refuel’ and spend time together. Enjoy the peace we’re arduously trying to conquer. Don’t let monsters take this moment from you."

"Try to find something new, have fun, live life. You can leave protecting you to me here. Live the life you should have had in the past. You have experience, you’ll manage to teach the young ones... just don’t kill anyone, okay?"

"It’s already too late for that, Nadir... weapons don’t stop being weapons just because someone stopped using them and locked their triggers."

"...But you are not a weapon, Zenith."

"...Your view is far too positive... but you’re still an asshole... just go, you have work, don’t you?"

"You don’t need to—"

"No." I give him a serious, rigid look. He shrinks back, murmuring something before heading for the door.

"If you need anything, just call me... I’ll be on a mission for the next 72 hours so—"

"Just get lost already, seriously, your voice is already starting to irritate me. And when you come back, don’t show up with another little betrayal. I’m still going to collect for you taking me out of my position... I worked hard for it and you know it."

"...I’m truly sorry... take care." He starts to leave.

"...Take care too... idiot." I grab this folder from the table with a frustration that won’t fade, but without much choice.

"It looks like this is my life now... a war weapon becoming a teacher... who would’ve thought, huh? The world is truly lost. All that’s left is to dig the grave and bury it."