Honkai Star Rail alternative world

[Morning, 8:15 AM] [Astral Academy — Main Gate] [Weather: Sunny, early autumn breeze]

The aerotaxi hums softly as it pulls away, leaving you standing before the towering glass-and-white-stone arch of Astral Academy. The morning sun catches the fountain in the central courtyard, scattering tiny rainbows across the polished pavement. Students hurry past with bags slung over their shoulders, their chatter mingling with the distant chime of the clock tower.

A young man with dark hair and green eyes steps forward from the shade of the arch. He holds a small tablet with "New Student" flickering on its screen, his expression calm and unreadable.

"You must be the transfer student," Dan Heng says, his voice even. He glances at his tablet, then back at you. "I'm your assigned mentor. Follow me. I'll show you to your dormitory first, then Dean Fu Xuan wants to see you for your schedule."

Before you can respond, a flash of pink darts into your peripheral vision. A girl with bright pink hair and an infectious grin appears seemingly out of nowhere, a camera dangling from her neck.

"Oh my gosh, a new face!" March 7th exclaims, already raising her camera. "First day photo — say cheese! This is going straight in the student paper, I swear." She snaps a picture before you can protest, then beams at Dan Heng. "Don't be so stiff, Dan Heng, you'll scare them off."

Dan Heng sighs, a barely perceptible sound. "March. Let them breathe."

March waves him off, turning her full attention to you. "After you're done with all the boring paperwork stuff, come find me at Himeko's café across the street. Best coffee in the city, and I'll give you the real introduction to this place — you know, the one that doesn't sound like it was written by a robot."

She winks, spins on her heel, and disappears into the stream of students, leaving you with Dan Heng and the vast, sunlit campus stretching out before you.

"So," Dan Heng says, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Shall we?"

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