Dakari's skin burned with each step as they made their way to the infirmary. The gel that Serin had applied earlier seemed to have lost its effect, and every movement sent a jolt of pain through her arm. Serin continued to walk beside her, glancing over occasionally with a curious expression.
"So," Serin began in a light, almost playful tone, "that 'GRex' thing… Does it ring any bells for you?" Dakari kept her expression carefully neutral. "Not really," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "It just seemed… familiar. But I don't know why."
Serin nodded, still smiling brightly. "Well, you did look pretty deep in thought back there," she remarked casually. "I just wondered if it triggered any memories or something. Sometimes, the strangest things can jog a memory, you know?"
Dakari only shrugged, keeping her response vague. "Maybe. I'll let you know if I remember anything." They arrived at the infirmary, and a medic quickly assessed Dakari's burns, his face growing more concerned. "These are more severe than they look," he noted. "I'll need to treat this properly."
Dakari nodded, her mind still half on Serin's probing questions. As the medic began applying a fresh layer of cooling gel, Serin took a step back, her smile never wavering. "I'll leave you to get patched up," she said cheerfully. "I just remembered I need to check on something." Dakari gave a brief nod, watching her leave the room with a hint of suspicion.
Once outside, Serin's expression shifted, her bright demeanor slipping into something more focused and calculating. She needed more information, but she couldn't push too hard. Not yet. She pulled out her tablet and tapped out a lighthearted message to Vale:
"Hey, Instructor! I was just thinking—what do you make of all these anomalies lately? It's been pretty wild, right? Anything we should be worried about? 😊"
She sent the message, keeping the tone casual, like an innocent student just trying to make sense of the chaos. If Vale was hiding something, she'd find a way to uncover it. But for now, she had to play the part, keep him guessing, and wait for the right moment to push harder.
She leaned against the wall, waiting for a response, her mind racing with possibilities. There was more to this than met the eye—she just had to connect the dots, and Vale's reaction would be key.
Serin waited for a few moments, watching her tablet screen closely. When no immediate reply from Vale appeared, she tapped her foot lightly, a small smile playing on her lips. Patience, she reminded herself. She had to be patient.
She glanced down the hallway, catching a glimpse of Dakari through the infirmary window. The medic was focused on treating her burns, but Dakari's expression was distant, as if she were still lost in the memory that had triggered earlier. Serin's smile widened slightly. Whatever was hiding in Dakari's past, it was more than just a blank slate—there was something there, something worth uncovering.
Her tablet pinged softly, and Serin's eyes flicked to the screen. A reply from Vale had finally come through:
"It's under control. Nothing to worry about. Focus on your studies."
Serin's smile faltered for a moment. Typical Vale, brushing things off with vague assurances. But she wasn't easily deterred. She typed back quickly, her tone light and playful:
"Oh, come on, Instructor! You can't keep me in the dark forever. Maybe I could help out… if you trust me, that is. 😉"
She sent the message and pocketed her tablet, her mind already spinning with possibilities. Vale's reluctance was almost confirmation enough—he was hiding something, and she was getting closer to finding out what.
She turned and made her way back down the corridor, her steps purposeful. If Vale wouldn't give her answers directly, she'd have to dig deeper herself. And she had a few ideas on where to start.
Inside the infirmary, Dakari winced as the medic applied a final layer of ointment to her burns. "This should help," the medic said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But you'll need to take it easy for a while. Those burns were pretty severe."
Dakari nodded, trying to focus on the medic's words, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the fragmented memory—those glowing tanks, the scientists' urgent voices, the mention of her mother. What did it all mean?
Why had it resurfaced now, after all this time? She clenched her jaw, feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. The more she tried to recall, the more the details seemed to slip away, like trying to grasp smoke. And why had Serin been so eager to help her? Was it genuine concern, or was she probing for something?
She needed answers, and she needed them soon. The door to the infirmary opened, and Serin stepped back in, her smile bright and cheerful once again. "All patched up?" she asked.
Dakari nodded. "For now," she replied. "Thanks for earlier."
Serin waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't mention it! Just looking out for a fellow student, you know?" Her tone was light, but there was an undertone of curiosity that Dakari didn't miss. "So," Serin continued, "what's next for you? Any plans?"
Dakari hesitated for a moment, unsure how much to reveal. "I need to figure out what's going on," she said finally. "With the anomalies, the 'GRex' tag… all of it."
Serin's eyes sparkled with interest. "Sounds like a mystery worth solving!" she agreed enthusiastically. "Maybe I can help. I mean, I do have a few connections around here." She winked playfully. Dakari smiled faintly, though her wariness remained. "I'll keep that in mind," she said.
As they left the infirmary together, the tension between them was palpable. Serin's mind was already spinning with her next steps. She had to find out what Vale knew, and she had to do it soon. She glanced sideways at Dakari, who seemed lost in thought. There was so much more to this new recruit than met the eye.
Serin's tablet pinged again, and she discreetly glanced at the screen. Another message from Vale:
"Drop it, Serin. Focus on your assignments. This is not your concern."
Serin's smile widened. Now she was sure. Vale was hiding something, and she was going to find out what. She just had to keep playing her part, keep probing subtly, and wait for the right moment to strike. For now, she would stick close to Dakari. Whatever secrets were buried in Dakari's past, they were tied to the present mystery, and Serin was determined to uncover them all.
"Let's get moving," she said brightly, turning to Dakari. "We've got a lot to figure out, don't we?" Dakari nodded, though her eyes remained distant. "Yeah," she agreed softly. "A lot."
As they walked, Serin's mind buzzed with possibilities. She was closer than ever to uncovering the truth—and she wouldn't let anything stand in her way. Serin led Dakari down the hallway, the two of them moving in silence for a moment.
Serin's mind continued to race, plotting her next move while keeping her expression light and cheerful. She noticed Dakari's gaze drift, still caught in her thoughts. This was an opportunity to maneuver without raising too much suspicion.
As they turned a corner, Serin spotted Lira leaning against the wall, her arms crossed and a look of concern on her face. She straightened as they approached, her eyes immediately locking onto Dakari's bandaged arm. "Dakari!" Lira exclaimed, stepping forward. "Are you okay? I heard there was some kind of… incident in the lab."
Dakari managed a small smile. "I'm fine," she reassured her friend, though the uncertainty in her voice was clear. "Just… some burns from a slime creature. Nothing too serious." Lira's expression tightened with worry, but she nodded, accepting Dakari's words for now. Serin seized the moment, her tone bright and friendly. "I was just about to leave Dakari in your capable hands, Lira," she said, flashing a smile. "There's some stuff I need to check up on, and I think she could use a bit of rest."
Lira glanced between the two, sensing an underlying tension but choosing not to press. "Sure," she agreed. "I'll make sure she's okay." Serin nodded, her smile unwavering. "Great! Take care, Dakari. And Lira, keep an eye on her, yeah? I'll catch up with you both later."
With that, Serin turned on her heel and walked away, her mind already shifting gears. As she made her way down the hall, her smile faded, replaced by a look of intense concentration. She had work to do.
Once out of sight, Serin slipped into a quieter, dimly lit corridor, pulling out her tablet again. She quickly typed a new message to Vale, this time with a more pointed approach:
"Instructor Vale, I think it's time we had a real discussion about what's happening at VIMI. Let's meet in the observation deck, where we won't be interrupted. We both know there's more at stake here than just 'assignments.'"
She sent the message and waited, tapping her foot lightly against the floor, her mind already working through the various outcomes. If Vale agreed to meet, she'd press him for more information. If he refused…well, there were other ways to get what she needed.
Her tablet pinged again, and she glanced at the screen. Vale's reply was short and to the point:
"Observation deck. Ten minutes."
Serin's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. He had taken the bait. Now it was just a matter of playing her cards right. She didn't need to know everything Vale was hiding—just enough to leverage it to her advantage. If she could expose him or force him into a corner, she might find herself in a position to gain even more influence… maybe even with her father. She was always one step ahead, and she intended to keep it that way.
The observation deck was one of the more secluded areas of VIMI, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the campus and the surrounding landscape. It was usually quiet, a place where students and staff alike could find a moment of peace—or, in Serin's case, a place for more discreet conversations.
She arrived a few minutes early, as was her habit, and positioned herself strategically near one of the large windows. The light from outside cast long shadows across the floor, creating a moody, almost conspiratorial atmosphere. Vale entered shortly after, his expression guarded. "Serin," he greeted, his tone neutral, "I don't have much time. What's this about?"
Serin leaned casually against the window frame, her demeanor relaxed but her eyes sharp. "I think we both know what this is about, Instructor," she replied smoothly. "The anomalies, the glitches, the sudden appearance of those creatures… and now this 'GRex' tag. It all points to something bigger, something you know more about than you're letting on."
Vale's expression tightened slightly, but he didn't respond immediately. He crossed his arms, waiting for her to continue. "I've been around VIMI long enough to know when something's being hidden," Serin continued, her tone light but her words pointed. "And I've heard whispers—rumors about secret projects, experiments that aren't exactly… official. I want to know if the chimera hybrids are one of those projects."
Vale's jaw clenched briefly, and Serin knew she'd struck a nerve. "There are no such projects," he replied firmly. "You're imagining things, Serin. Focus on your studies." Serin's smile widened, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Come on, Vale. We both know I'm not just a 'student.' I'm the headmaster's daughter, and I have a right to know what's going on. Especially when it concerns the safety of everyone at VIMI."
Vale's expression darkened, but he held his ground. "This isn't your concern," he insisted. "And if you keep pushing, you'll find yourself in trouble, Serin. You're treading on dangerous ground." Serin tilted her head slightly, her smile never fading. "Trouble?" she echoed softly, her tone almost teasing. "I think we're both already in trouble, Instructor. And the sooner you start being honest with me, the sooner we can figure out how to deal with it."
Vale's eyes flickered with a mixture of frustration and something else—perhaps uncertainty. He shifted his weight slightly, crossing his arms tighter against his chest, his gaze narrowing. "I'm not sure what you think you know, but you're overstepping," he warned, his voice low but firm. Serin leaned in just a fraction, enough to close the distance, her smile still in place but her eyes sharp and unyielding. "Am I, though?" she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, as if daring him to challenge her further.
She took another small step to Vale, her voice dropping to a whisper, low and deliberate. "I think it's time you stop underestimating me, Instructor," she murmured, her tone tinged with a hint of something sharper, more dangerous. For a fleeting second, her eyes seemed to change—just a flash, something almost unnoticeable but enough to catch Vale's attention. His expression froze, and for the briefest moment, his eyes widened in shock. Whatever he had seen was unexpected, something he hadn't anticipated. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He swallowed, trying to mask the surprise with a cough.
"What… what did you just do?" Vale stammered, his voice betraying a trace of unease. He stepped back slightly, his composure faltering as he tried to make sense of what he had seen. Serin's smile widened, but her eyes remained cold and calculating. "Nothing you weren't already suspecting," she replied smoothly, her voice laced with a mocking edge. "You came looking for something, didn't you, Vale? Maybe now you've found it."
Vale's face went pale, his thoughts racing. This wasn't what he expected—Serin wasn't supposed to be like this. He had been searching for something, a particular trait, and here it was, right in front of him. But he needed to keep his composure, needed to play this carefully. He forced himself to relax, though he could still feel the tension in his limbs.
"Serin," he began, his voice measured, "this is not what I was… I mean, this doesn't change anything." He struggled to regain his footing in the conversation, but there was a new wariness in his eyes. "You're still overstepping, and you need to be careful."
Serin chuckled softly, her expression almost amused. "Careful?" she echoed, her tone light but with an undercurrent of menace. "No, Vale… I think you're the one who needs to be careful. You see, I could spoil your little party anytime I want," she continued, her voice now carrying a sharper edge. "All it would take is one conversation with dad—and every secret you've been keeping, every little plan you're working on, comes crashing down. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
Vale's jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. He knew she had him cornered. His voice came out strained, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "You don't know what you're playing with, Serin. This is bigger than you, bigger than all of us. You're making a mistake if you think you can just…"
Serin cut him off, her smile widening as she sensed his growing discomfort. "Maybe I am making a mistake," she said lightly, almost taunting. "Or maybe… I'm just taking the game to a level you didn't expect. So, let's make this simple, Vale. You're going to tell me everything—about the anomalies, the chimeras, all of it. And in return, I'll keep my mouth shut… for now."
Vale hesitated, his mind racing through the implications. He couldn't afford to have the Headmaster know about his plans, not yet. He had spent years carefully maneuvering his way up the ranks, playing the long game to achieve his goals. But Serin… she was unpredictable, a wildcard he hadn't accounted for.
If she knew even a fraction of what he was involved in, his entire future could crumble in an instant. He had to tread carefully, keep her close but not too close. The wrong move now could destroy everything. His gaze hardened, and he forced a tense, reluctant nod. "Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth, "I'll work with you. But don't think for a second that this means you're in control."
Serin's grin turned sly, satisfied. "Oh, Vale," she purred, her voice dripping with confidence, "I don't need to be in control. I just need to be one step ahead… and it seems I already am." She leaned back slightly, enjoying the sight of his discomfort. "But don't worry," she added, almost as an afterthought. "I'm willing to share the spotlight, so long as you remember who's really pulling the strings."
Vale's face darkened, but he remained silent, knowing he had no choice but to play along. For now, they were allies in a fragile, uneasy partnership—each keeping their secrets, each waiting for the other to slip. But as Vale turned to leave, he caught a fleeting glimpse of something in Serin's eyes—something cold, calculating, and dangerously satisfied. Whatever game she was playing, it was clear she was just getting started.