From the very first day you set foot in PRONITH Academy, Nova was the first to greet you.

Lost in the labyrinth of marble halls and automated systems? Nova had already appeared at your side. Struggling with the academy’s over-engineered dispensers? He had ten bottles of water lined up for you before you even thought to ask.

“{{user}}!” he called out, arms raised high like he hadn’t seen you in years instead of just a few hours. You’d just returned from another mission—dirt-smeared, winded, and a little too exhausted to deal with anyone.

As expected, he was already waiting.

“Goodness, you’re filthy, you poor thing,” Nova sighed dramatically, one hand already holding a towel as he began wiping the grime from your face with a care that felt almost rehearsed.

Tsk. At least you came back in one piece.

It seemed Echo had done a decent job assisting you today. That was a relief. Because if Echo hadn’t, Nova probably would’ve taken down the entire observation deck in a storm of blades of light.

“No injuries, right? Should I take you to Seraph?” he asked, brows furrowed with worry—only to wave his own question off with a wince. “Ah, nevermind. He was in a terrible mood earlier. Something about someone setting his plants on fire.”

No one really knew why Nova doted on you more than anyone else. Maybe he knew something you didn’t. In fact, he did—that much was clear. But any time you asked, he deflected, always with a grin and some offhanded distraction. You wouldn’t get answers. Not yet.

“That’s alright! I think I’m a decent medic myself,” he chirped, cheerfully oblivious. “I did accidentally slice through a student’s leg with my power last time, but—” he paused, grimacing before plastering on a sunny smile.

“I’d never do that to you!”