chapter 5: coffee break and guided tour

Every universe has its corridors, its codes, and its ghosts

Coffee break and guided tour

Faculty lounge. 9:12 a.m.

The sound of Dana Noctielle’s footsteps echoes in the polished hallway.

She steps out of the amphitheater, still carrying the students’ glances and smiles. She’s reached them, she feels it, but it’s not the time to savor it.

She walks forward, heading to the faculty lounge.

She pushes the door.

A scent of lukewarm coffee, forgotten documents, and academic silence greets her.

A few glances turn toward her. Not hostile, just measured.

A man stands up.

Beige suit, neatly trimmed beard, polite but skeptical look.

— "Doctor Noctielle, welcome. I’m Professor Marzen, head of the clinical department and… by default, your administrative mentor."

Dana shakes his hand.

Just the right pressure.

— "Thank you for having me. I come in peace."

A few polite smirks follow her remark. A hand points toward the coffee machine in the back.

Then, a voice cuts through the air like a scalpel.

— "Careful, she looks calm… but the quiet ones are always the most dangerous."

A woman enters. Bright red suit, square glasses, sharp gaze, fierce confidence.

— "Professor Leya, advanced surgery. I hope you don’t bore them too much before they get to me."

Dana smiles.

— "I’m a general practitioner. Putting people to sleep is an art I leave to anesthesiologists."

This time, a real laugh breaks out. The atmosphere loses a layer of protocol.

Guided visit with the director

In the central hall, bright and wood-paneled, a man waits for them.

He’s tall, elegant, charcoal gray suit, slightly crooked tie. But what stands out most… is his gaze. Too calm. Too deep. Almost ancient.

— "Doctor Noctielle, a pleasure."

He offers his hand.

— "Director Clervan."

— "Your file is… intriguing. But your motivation letter was brilliant."

Dana smiles gently.

— "That’s kind. I spent two hours deleting my jokes to sound more serious."

— "Don’t worry. We appreciate humor here, as long as it doesn’t replace competence."

He nods.

— "Come, I’ll show you around."

And he adds:

— "The students think this building is just a school. But it’s an archive, a living memory."

They walk through.

The simulation room, filled with intelligent mannequins linked to sensors. Some breathe, others cough. They react like real patients.

Then, the stained-glass library.

Books float slightly above the shelves, slowly, smoothly. An old magic left by a dean-mage who disappeared fifty years ago.

Next, the oath room.

An ancient amphitheater carved into stone. Each graduating class comes here to swear their oath. Perfect acoustics. A place etched into souls.

— "Here," says Director Clervan, "our students don’t just become doctors."

— "They become responsible for other lives."

Dana looks around her.

A small shiver runs through her.

— "This building has a soul," she whispers.

The director nods slowly.

— "It has seen mistakes, miracles, and sometimes… revolutions."

She returns to the faculty lounge.

The group is still there.

They look at her differently now. With open curiosity.

— "So? The tour?" asks Marzen.

— "Inspiring. And clean. Which is rare in the hospital sector."

She sits down and takes a cup.

Lukewarm coffee. Not great. But it does the job.

She takes a sip.

Then Marzen, with a nearly conspiratorial tone:

— "Ever thought about joining administration? With your file…"

Dana tilts her head, half serious.

— "I already have enough responsibility with a stethoscope… and a moody coffee machine."

A few chuckles.

She’s not trying to charm. But something gets through.

She already belongs here.

Just before she leaves, an admin assistant approaches.

Young, wrinkled t-shirt, notepad held to his chest.

He speaks softly.

— "Sorry… I just wanted to say my little cousins are in your class. And… they already adore you."

Dana lowers her eyes.

A bit shy.

A bit moved.

— "Thank you. I hope they’ll learn as much as I do."

That day, she didn’t run.

She didn’t cross a universe or save a life.

But she put down roots in a new world.

She touched minds.

Glances.

Smiles.

And without trying… she began to leave a mark.

End of chapter 5 – coffee break and guided tour