Real Dream: Infinity

After a simple breakfast at Helion's cafeteria, Aurora entered the third-year special classroom with a mix of curiosity and enthusiasm, though outwardly maintaining her usual absent expression. The room was rectangular, slightly longer than standard classrooms, with translucent walls that emitted a soft blue glow. Floating holographic screens hovered throughout the space, seemingly untethered to anything, displaying diagrams, equations, and simulations. At the center of the room, a rotating table showcased several advanced technological devices, each pulsating with In energy, visible as luminous filaments coursing along their surfaces.

The atmosphere was lively; conversations filled the air as students prepared for class. With a quick glance around, Aurora noticed that William wasn't in his seat, though she wasn't too surprised.

She approached her desk and placed her computer into the assigned slot. She had just begun preparing her materials when two classmates approached her.

"Did you go to the Dominion, Aurora?" Naomi Fers asked enthusiastically, adjusting her white glasses, which continuously projected data in front of her.

"Yes," Aurora replied with a slight nod. "It was incredible. The Nexar Stadium is even more impressive from the inside, and the glasses surprised me as well. They made me feel like I was part of the action."

Naomi smiled proudly and briefly touched her own glasses before launching into an explanation:

"The Nex-Vision glasses are a technological marvel. They're designed with eye-motion tracking lenses and an augmented reality system that projects holograms directly into your field of vision. Yours were probably the standard spectator version, but mine…" she added with a tone bordering on condescension, "are the Nex-V Pro model. Not only do they project data and allow tactile interaction with holograms, but they're also directly connected to analysis networks and even provide real-time strategy and statistics transmission."

"Alright, alright," Thomas Riles interrupted with a wide smile, tapping Naomi's shoulder to calm her enthusiasm. "The Nex-Vision glasses are impressive, sure, but tell me, Aurora, who did you follow this time?"

Thomas, with his tousled light brown hair and relaxed posture that exuded natural confidence, had a smile that seemed infectious to anyone nearby.

"I started off following Melisfir," Aurora replied with a faint smile, recalling how captivated she had been by the fighter at first.

"How lucky," Alex Joven interjected from his nearby seat, his characteristic intensity evident even as he listened silently. His dark brown hair was always perfectly combed, but his relaxed posture and observant gaze made him difficult to ignore. "Melisfir and No Limits were definitely the protagonists this week. Though I have to say, that knight—Xandra—stole the show in the end."

Cory Dales, stocky with a close-cropped blonde haircut, arrived at the seat next to Alex and joined the conversation enthusiastically. "Yeah, yeah. That girl knocked out my favorite, Iron Will, in a single blow. But hey, considering how beautiful she is, I can forgive her."

Thomas burst into laughter at Cory's comment, while Naomi shot him a disdainful glare.

"That has nothing to do with skill level," Naomi retorted firmly. "You should focus more on technique instead of getting distracted by superficialities."

"Oh, sure," Cory replied with a casual shrug and a carefree smile. "But you can't deny that technique is more entertaining to watch when it's paired with a little charisma."

The conversation carried on animatedly until a murmur swept through the room, signaling the arrival of the professor. A middle-aged man entered the classroom, carrying a gleaming metal briefcase and walking with an upright posture that commanded respect. His short hair, streaked with gray, complemented his sharp gray eyes that seemed to analyze everything around him.

"Good morning, students," he said in a deep but warm voice. "I'm Professor John Varlan, and today we'll explore the fundamentals of In in advanced devices. I hope you're all ready to actively participate."

Aurora glanced at William's empty seat, wondering where he could be, as the professor began his lecture.

***

"Now we'll analyze the functionality of the In Convergence Catalyst," Professor Varlan said, "a device capable of amplifying the energy stored in an In core to power complex systems like exoskeletons or even aerial vehicles."

Aurora listened attentively, observing the device. It was compact, about the size of a shoebox, with a shiny metallic structure and side panels pulsating with energy. "It's impressive," she thought as the professor activated the Catalyst, revealing a luminous sphere at its core that grew in intensity, radiating filaments that connected to other systems on the table. "This feels like magic… but it's pure science."

As the professor continued to explain, Aurora reflected on how In had revolutionized the world. "These devices are the future," she thought, feeling a spark of excitement and a growing desire to understand more. But her concentration was broken when the classroom door opened.

Aurora turned her head to see William enter. His figure immediately stood out against the vibrant classroom. He was dressed entirely in black: a hoodie that partially covered his face and matching pants. His steps were slow, and his gaze seemed distant, as though he were in another world. "An hour late," Aurora thought, frowning.

Professor Varlan stopped mid-sentence and directed a piercing gaze at William. "Late again, William Alden. This can't keep happening."

Without lifting his eyes, William responded in a low voice, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He continued walking to his seat, but the professor interrupted him.

"And take off your hood."

William stopped. In one swift motion, he pulled down his hood, revealing his messy golden hair. "Sorry," he repeated as the room fell into an awkward silence. Some students whispered, but most remained quiet, watching the scene. Aurora bit her lip, feeling a mix of pity and frustration at how lost he seemed.

Professor Varlan sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, let's continue," he said, resuming his explanation.

The class went on, but Aurora noticed that William wasn't paying attention. His gaze was fixed on the window, lost in the landscape outside. "What's he thinking about?" Aurora wondered, turning her focus back to the Convergence Catalyst.

Suddenly, the professor's voice cut through the classroom's hum of explanations. "William Alden, can you explain how the In Convergence Catalyst works?"

William didn't react at first. Aurora watched him, worried. He slowly turned his head toward the device at the center of the room. The professor raised an eyebrow. "If you're going to be late, at least—"

William interrupted, his tone suddenly confident and clear. "The In Convergence Catalyst works by channeling energy stored in a compressed In core. The filaments on the side panels are energy conduits that transfer the amplified energy to external systems, ensuring minimal loss through the resonance of the stabilizing core. I apologize, Professor. I'll pay closer attention."

Professor Varlan observed him with a mix of surprise and approval. "Even if you know the answer, it's important to participate in class, William. Remember that."

"Yes, Professor," William replied, this time focusing on the central table.

Aurora blinked, surprised by William's detailed explanation. "How does he know so much if he wasn't even paying attention?" she wondered. But her surprise didn't last long. She noticed Naomi, a classmate who always sat in the front row, gripping the edge of her computer so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Naomi stared at William with a mix of disbelief and something harder to define—perhaps suppressed anger.

Thomas, on the other hand, had a fixed smile on his face, his eyes following William's every move. Aurora felt a chill as she noticed how his gaze seemed to evaluate him, almost as if he were analyzing every gesture.

"It's strange," Aurora thought. "William seems to provoke intense emotions in others, even though he barely interacts. Why is Naomi so upset? And why does Thomas seem so… calculating? There's something about William that stirs strong reactions in people. Something I don't understand. Maybe today is the day I'll finally talk to him."

***

When the class ended Aurora left the classroom, walking briskly toward the glass bridge that stretched across the artificial lake on the Helion Red Diamond Institute campus. The still waters reflected the lights of Solaris, the metropolis suspended between the earthly and the utopian, as the shadows of dusk stretched over the gleaming structure. Aurora paused at the institute's entrance, adjusting her backpack strap as her eyes scanned the flow of students leaving the building.

After a few minutes, she spotted William Alden. He walked with slow, listless steps, his black hoodie partially obscuring his face. Aurora gathered her courage, took a deep breath, and approached with a timid smile.

"Hi, William," she greeted, trying to sound casual.

William didn't look up. His eyes were unfocused, as if he were moving on autopilot, oblivious to the world around him.

"Excuse me, William," Aurora repeated, louder this time, her tone kind.

He walked past her like a shadow absorbing the light, leaving a palpable emptiness in his wake. Aurora felt a knot form in her chest. Her face twisted into a mix of confusion and determination.

"Hey, William! I'm your classmate. Excuse me, William!"

This time, she followed him a few steps, reaching out to touch the sleeve of his hoodie. The rough texture of the fabric was enough to stop him. William turned slowly, his eyes unfocused at first, as if he had just returned from a distant world.

"Are you okay?" Aurora asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

William looked at her, his clear but dim eyes reflecting momentary confusion. Before he could answer, he noticed something behind Aurora. A group of classmates, led by Naomi and Thomas, was watching the scene with curiosity.

William's expression changed. The brief flicker of vulnerability in his eyes vanished, replaced by a distant look. Carefully, he removed Aurora's hand from his sleeve and continued walking without saying a word.

Aurora turned to see her classmates, Naomi shrugging as if to say, "I told you so."

"It's because of you all that he reacts this way," Aurora thought, ignoring Naomi's gesture.

She refocused on William, who was disappearing into Solaris' lights. He didn't walk—he seemed to glide like a shadow the light couldn't reach, someone consumed by something invisible, devouring him from within. Aurora felt a pang in her chest and took a step forward, determined to follow him.

***

William walked at a steady pace, not looking back, while Aurora followed at a careful distance—not so close as to seem intrusive, yet not so far as to lose sight of him. The streets of Solaris were illuminated by holographic signs and floating light orbs. The buildings reflected the lights like endless mirrors, creating a sensation of being trapped in an unreal world.

Aurora didn't know what to say or do. Her initial determination to speak with him had crumbled, leaving only the need to understand. She watched as William moved through the crowd without interacting, almost as if he were invisible to everyone but her.

When they reached the aerobus station, Aurora saw him stop in front of one of the platforms. The aerobus was a technological marvel: a futuristic train hovering over energy rails, emitting a faint hum as its metallic casing gleamed with a bluish hue. Passengers scanned their phones or watches to board. Aurora considered the cost of the trip.

"I didn't think about it, but the Luminia District is quite far. He must take the aerobus every day… It's expensive to use it daily. Although, of course, if he lives there, it's not an issue," she thought, a slight smile forming at the irony.

When it was her turn, Aurora scanned her Nexus. The Helion Red Diamond Institute discount was helpful, but she still felt a sting of pain watching her credits drop. "And I'll have to return, too…" she thought, sighing in resignation.

Inside the aerobus, Aurora sat at one end, far enough from William to avoid making him uncomfortable. He stared out the window, absorbed in his thoughts. The lights of Solaris streaked past like fleeting flashes, momentarily illuminating his serious face. Aurora noticed that he hadn't changed his posture once during the ride.

***

After disembarking the aerobus, they walked only a block to a glass elevator leading to Noctus, a necessary stop before entering Luminia. The elevator descended smoothly, offering a panoramic view of Solaris' lower levels. Aurora glanced sideways at William, who continued gazing at the scenery with the same distant expression.

"Should I say something now?" she wondered, but the fear of interrupting his thoughts held her back.

Finally, they exited the elevator and walked a few more blocks through Luminia, crossing street after street in the transition zone before reaching the Luminary District. Aurora, now visibly tired, looked around. The streets were quieter, the buildings more luxurious, and the lights less glaring than in Solaris.

"How much does this guy walk?" she thought, panting slightly as she tried to keep up.

When they reached the entrance to the Luminary District, Aurora was struck by its grandeur. The access checkpoint was a monumental structure made of reinforced glass and polished metal, designed to resemble a rising sun. Cameras and drones floated around, monitoring every movement. Only Helios Tech employees or those with special permits could enter.

Aurora watched as William crossed effortlessly, passing through sensors that verified his identity. She stepped forward, but reality hit her immediately: she couldn't enter. She stood there, motionless, biting her lip in frustration as she watched him walk away.

With a look filled with sadness, Aurora turned to leave, but a serious, slightly mocking voice stopped her.

"You obviously weren't going to get in."

Aurora turned around, surprised. There stood William Alden, standing by the district's gates, looking at her for the first time with something more than indifference.