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Language:
English
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Published:
2026-01-09
Updated:
2026-01-09
Words:
7,853
Chapters:
3/?
Kudos:
1
Hits:
6

AR!CARNATE

Summary:

Your name is Daphne Easton. You've gone into a test to be in the second government unit of piloting giant mechs to access an alternate reality that only exists by achieving insane speeds to reach the only possibly known wormhole. But first, you and thirty other 15 year olds, trained in private academies your whole life, must compete to reach the top 9 to pilot said giant mechs. A little inspired by Stranger Things and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter Text

4:00. Wake up. Brush my teeth.

4:25. Eat breakfast. Check to make sure my homework’s done. I check my scores on the grading website again. Still not posted.

4:50. Check again. Still nothing. It’s Saturday. Not a school day. Why the hell did I wake up so early?

Scores. Obviously.

My head is beating like a drum.

4:55. I lie down on the couch.

5:00 p.m. Scores should be posted.

But I can’t check.

My whole life depends on this singular test. This exam is going to change everything. My entire future hinges on a number I don’t even want to look at.

5:05. I put on a dumb online video about uki-uki—well, Flying Hope Stars: Enter the Sphere is the English name, but uki-uki is way easier to say out loud. It’s a basic three-hour video analysis of a random side character I don’t even care about.

I can’t focus.

I grab some water and take a sip.

5:10. I check the website.

1598

Score needed to pass for the school? To get into a good college? Whatever. 1500. 1575 was the score needed to qualify for the testing program. Max thirty participants for the starting course. The score needed just to take the test. Highest possible score: 1600. I got 1598. I am going to get into this program if it kills me.

And if it does?

That’s future me’s problem.

5:20. I pass out on the couch.

I need sleep if I’m going to be doing this.