Martian Archer

Leon stood outside the training grounds, wiping the sweat from his brow. It had been a long day, but he had to admit—Klein's training was working.

But something felt off.

Despite his strict methods, Klein was too invested in their success.

Most academy staff only provided basic guidance before the exams. They weren't supposed to train students directly.

"So why was Klein doing this?"

That evening, Leon sat on his bed, thinking about Klein when a familiar voice called out.

"Leon."

He turned to see Hugo leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"You've been training with that guy Klein, right?"

Leon nodded.

"Yeah. He's helping us prepare for the exam."

Hugo scoffed.

"Be careful."

Leon frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Hugo sighed, stepping closer.

"Staff members aren't supposed to train participants. There's no rule against it, but it's unheard of. No teacher in this academy has ever done what he's doing."

Leon hesitated.

"…Maybe he just wants to help?"

Hugo shook his head.

"Maybe. Or maybe he has an agenda."

Leon didn't want to believe it, but the unease in his gut grew.

"What is Klein's real goal?"

The next day, training continued as usual.

After an exhausting session, Klein called for a break.

He sat down on a wooden crate, lighting a cigarette.

"You kids ever think about the world before this?"

Leon raised an eyebrow.

"Before Mars and Earth were separated?"

Klein nodded, exhaling smoke.

"Back then, things were different. No fancy tech. No colonies on Mars. Just one world."

Goro, curious, leaned in.

"What was it like?"

Klein smirked.

"Chaotic. But also… real."

Leon listened closely as Klein continued.

"People fought. Nations waged wars. But there was purpose. Now? Everything is fake."

Rei narrowed her eyes.

"Fake?"

Klein scoffed.

"Yeah. The Utopia Project? A bunch of idiots trying to create a 'perfect world' without war. But you can't erase conflict. It's part of being human."

Leon tensed.

The Utopia Project was the foundation of modern society.

A world where war was gone. A world where people could live in peace.

And yet, Klein spoke of it with disgust.

> "…The Utopia Project was nothing more than a failed dream. A false promise—"

Klein suddenly stopped.

His expression hardened.

For a moment, it looked like he had said too much.

Something was very wrong.