NOTE 3

“It’s only going to take a second.”

His voice sounds like an old radio, a combination of static and hoarse that somewhat consoling. He took a drop of her blood and insert it into a device that was strapped to his left arm. As the device began humming softly, he leaned closer and put his hand on her face. She twitched a bit even though it’s not her first-time feeling that big yet cold hand. It’s ticking and clacking as if it had its own life. But worst is his face.

He wore a mask that resembles a gas mask with big eyes and it glowed green. The outlet valves look like an elephant trunk, only that its filter which should be attached at the end of it replaced by the tube that disappeared behind the hood. His figure is reminiscent of that of a plague doctor, except that instead of being wrapped in a black dress it’s made out of steel. The only thing that was normal was the lab coat he was wearing.

He removed his hand from her and look at the device. “Nothing. No anomalies. Quite resilient, aren’t you.”

“Am I good to go now, doctor Bongsor?” asked Alanka.

“Yes. A perfect examination with a perfect result!” said Bongsor. “Of course, it depends on doctor Lika. She has the final word after all.”

“Do you think she will grant my leave?”

“It depends on the examination,” said doctor Lika as she entered the room. “Anything to report?”

“There aren’t any,” said Bongsor. “Besides that, everything indicates that her body has returned to normal.”

“Yet she hasn’t regained any of her memories.” Doctor Lika looked straight into the empty air and sighed. “Are you sure want to go to the academy first?”

“Since you mention about the academy, I have this vision,” she answered.

“This vision of yours, do you still remember what is about?”

Alanka nod. “I saw a huge tower and four smaller ones made of bricks. It looks like a spacecraft with its rocket still attached. It was old yet it still stood firm and well maintained. Right at the top of the big tower, there is a symbol.”

“A fiery red shield with a gold-coloured garuda in the centre?” asked Lika. Her expression changed slightly, a little more confident.

“Yes.”

“Please continue.”

“Inside, I saw many people but only one of them stood out the most.” Alanka turned her gaze to the mirror she used to use. “She sat alone but she didn’t look lonely. Instead, she looked like she was waiting for someone or… something. I could see her eyes full of confidence that the day when she could stop waiting would come.”

“What is she looked like?” asked Lika.

“It’s a young girl. Red hair, red as fire and its twintails.” Alanka frowned. As much as she wanted to describe her vision but the images faded over time. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. You did your best,” said Lika. “And you still can’t find anyone who fits the description?”

“Unfortunately,” Bongsor replied.

Lika sighed again while pinching the bridge of her nose. “There seemed to be no other way. You are allowed to go back to the academy.”

“Really?”

“Well, it’s not like you lied when you say you can’t describe her anymore. And even if you were lying, I definitely would have realised it long ago,” said Lika.

“When I can go back?”

“Right now.”

Alanka tilted her head. “But I haven’t prepared anything.”

“Heh, you don’t have to worry about that.” Lika pressed the back of her ear. “Although I’m genuinely hoping that you can describe this young girl’s figure, I also have anticipated this outcome and prepared everything you need.”

“Sorry.”

“I’d rather receive a thank you and a nice smile.”

Alanka frowned at Lika. “I don’t know about smile, but thank you.”

“Seems like it’s not only your memory that needs to be fixed.”

As soon as she uttered that, the door to the room burst open. A young girl bathed in her own sweat entered the room. Both of her hands were holding the strap of a suitcase that was roughly the same size as her. As she arrived right in front of Lika, she exhaled loudly as she dropped the suitcase on the floor.

“You know this is a hospital, right?” asked Lika.

“A—” She immediately covered her mouth with both hands and tried to speak softly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I-I won’t repeat it.”

“Can I take your word?”

As Lika reprimanded the young girl, Alanka focused her gaze on the suitcase she was carrying. “Is that mine?”

“Huh? Ah, yes,” said Lika.

“Can I take a look?”

“Of course, it’s yours.”

Alanka promptly get out of her bed and opened the suitcase. From uniforms, clothes, even boots and daily necessities, everything is there. But what caught her attention the most was the object that had been placed at the bottom of the suitcase.

A Sword. Still in its sheath, but judging by the shape it’s more like a scimitar rather than a sabre. Looking at the grip, it bent near the end in the opposite direction of the blade.

“That is worse than shouting.” Bongsor scowled.

“It’s her. We found it not far from where we found her,” said Lika.

As Alanka put the sword back, she took out her uniform. She started by stripping the hospital gown off, leaving her with only white underwear on. From the corner of her eye, she could see the suitcase girl flushed red. Her mouth was wide open trying to call out Lika, but nothing comes out.

Without further concern for the girl, she put on a pair of white trousers and a Wellington boots. Followed by a white shirt, a tie, and finally a pastel-blue coloured blazer. Right on the top of it, he accessorised with a waist belt, an aiguillette, and Sam Brawne belt. And for the finishing touch, a white peaked cap with golden garuda right in the middle, similar to the one in her vision.

“Would you look at that,” said Bongsor excitedly.

“How do you feel?” ask Lika.

Alanka turned her gaze towards mirror. There she saw the figure that totally different from what she usually saw in the past week. There she saw the figure of an authoritative and respected young girl.

“I feel… ecstatic.”