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    Ikki. Do not disappoint me," she said quietly, her voice sending shivers down my spine. It sounded like she was giving me a warning, a threat. But what did it mean?


    "Ikki," she murmured softly, "This one thinks… she will have much to learn here. Not just from the curriculum, but from you as well." Her voice had a note of concern that I hadn''t expected from the stoic first impression she gave me


    I blinked in surprise, not expecting her to say that. "What do you mean?"


    Dior smiled at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "This one has been.... isolated for too long, and she has never learned to see things beyond her own... upbringing. This one has only started making friends again recently, and you are the first from Earth she has ever spoken to. She hopes to learn from you, to understand your worldview and gain a new perspective on things."


    I felt a small spark of hope ignite within me at her words.


    "I''d like that," I said, smiling back at her. "I think we can learn a lot from each other."


    Dior nodded, her expression turning serious. "This one hopes that the rest of St. Antonia''s will be as accepting. But do not worry. Dior will look out for Ikki, this one promises."


    I felt a warmth fill my chest at her words. Maybe things would be okay after all. I smiled, feeling grateful for the unexpected friendship that had blossomed between us. "Thanks, Dior. That means a lot to me. And hey, right back at you. I''ve got your back and I don''t just say that as a platitude."


    I stood up with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face the challenges ahead. "Come on then," I said, shouldering my backpack. "Let''s see what else this place has to offer us today."


    O