Iron angel (Book 1 of IA)

[4] Choice

When I opened my eyes again it was day. I was in the same hospital bed, same hospital clothes, and stuck with same bandaged meaty stub where my left hand used to be. Nothing had changed, I sighed.

​It wasn't a dream after all.

Did I just past out?

I sat up once again and looked around; Dr. Cherrylove was nowhere to be seen, it was just me and loneliness. For a moment I wished she never left, but then again I would probably freak out if anyone saw me in this condition. I knew none of this was her fault, and it almost made me feel bad for thinking poorly of her.

She is just doing what she can to help...

I guess so...doctors never have the easiest job...eh?

The door opened once again.

"Kard! I have good news for you!"

It was Dr. Cherrylove again. She looked as the same as yesterday, except this time she was holding something in her hands, a medal frame of some sort. Much to her enthusiasm I remained quiet as a tombstone, as she took her seat beside me and held up the frame for me to see.

"You have been awarded the Risinger's Cross! Signed by the mayor himself!"
I didn't respond, I couldn't care less about the medal, not right now.

"Oh and there is one more thing I want to talk about."

"Could you please just leave? Please." I said, looking down at my lap.

It was a little cold coming from me, but I seriously couldn't take her anymore, her positivity just didn't mix well with my dread.

"Just one more word. It's about your future."

The word future made me flinch.

Future? That word makes people think, and thinking leads to worrying, and the last thing I need right now is to worry.
Seeing my silence as an invitation, she continued:

"The social care department is willing to grant you a life pension for your heroic acts, which includes all future medical costs, housing, groceries and other daily necessities."

I nodded silently.

"That was the first option, there is also a second option."

I continued to stare down at my lap.

"We will implant you with the latest military grade prototype artificial limb. And don't worry the cost is on us."
The tone she was using almost made it sound like a joke, and that mischievous smile of hers...

"I promise the artificial arm will function exactly like a normal arm and maybe even better. If you ask why, it's because I designed it myself."

For the first time I looked up. There was unmistakable pride in her eyes. Eyes that told me that she wasn't lying, she was just that confident that it will would work.

"That's a lie," I said turning and looking away once again.

"Trust me, I know what I am doing. Though there is a catch for the second option."

I cocked my head slightly.

"Once the implant is finished, you will be forced to transfer from your currently admitted university to IIMT instead."

I looked up, I thought it was a joke, but her expression was completely stern.
The International Institute of Magistics and Technology. Aka, the best school in the entire world. The school was relatively new, founded after the great war as a sign of cooperation between humans and elementals. The lower institute ranges from G10-12, while the higher institute goes from there all the way to postdoctoral. The school contains thousands variety of courses and countless more professions, ranging from potion brewer, to Ariel drone mechanic. The Institute is truly a place where magic flawlessly blends with technology, or the other way around. Notorious for its difficulty to get in, generally less than 1% of its approved applicants are admitted into the institute each year.

"Impossible..." I blurted out.

"Not impossible, very possible in fact. The institute recently decided to open its first very own MS division. And its name is..."

For a moment I thought I saw a smirk, but it was probably my illusion as I stared silently at her awaiting her next words.

"Iron Angel Division."

Iron Angel? What kind of a name is that?

But I decided to shut it and let her finish her rant.

"P.S, if you do decide to join, you will become the founder of the division. Sounds awesome doesn't it?"

For a moment I was so shocked, my jaw couldn't help but unhinge at an impossible angle.

This woman is out of her mind, this must be a prank or something...

"You probably think this is a prank or something, but it's not." The way she replied made me couldn't help but think:

Why is she a doctor? She would be way better off as a mind reader...

"No, I am not a mind reader. I am a human, just like you." She flashed a quick smile, then got up and walked towards the balcony window. My eyes followed her as she walked, as she slid open the glass door she turned back to face me and waved her hand in a following gesture. With tight lips and a sigh, I climbed off my bed and joined her. The balcony was small, with just two chairs and a small table, I took the one closer one to the door as she sat down in the other. Below the white concreate walls the heart of the Ayre lay beneath. At this height traffic and voices could no longer be heard. Only the whispers of a gentle city breeze mixed with the clear chirping of birds. After a brief silence, the doctor spoke up:

"At first I never thought I would become a doctor. I wanted to become an engineer, I wanted to invent things. I wanted to create the greatest invention to benefit mankind and have people remember my name down the history. But when I actually did get into the higher institute of IIMT, my whole world view was refreshed. Magic I had never seen before, technology I had never even heard of, just the sheer vast amount of information made me feel like an ant lost in a library of giants. And all of that made me entirely think about my choices in life, and looking back from now, I think it's safe to say I made the right choice." She smiled at me, and for some reason that put a smile on my face too.

"There were many in the engineering field that were just born pure genius, some could build spaceships stretching kilometers, some could build an entire self eco dependent city, one even came close to building a time machine! I felt truly insignificant compared to them, so I decided to turn my focus to something else, something that I knew I would be good at. Luckily my professor wrote a paper called: 'The impact and development of prosthetics on society'. After I read it, I knew it was my calling. I began to dive deep into the realm of human prosthetics. And it wasn't long till I got my first funding grant and my first scientist award. But In the end I guess I still became an engineer, just not the kind I thought I would be. So whatever choice you make is entirely up to you, even when one of them seems odd or doesn't fit your purpose, just know that something out there can only be done by you."
I was speechless, and that was probably the normal reaction in this kind of circumstance.

I need more time...

"P.S the special division facility is registered in both higher and lower institutes, so there is a good chance you will see Illyria." The doctor tried to cover her giggle with one hand, but clearly wasn't doing a good job of hiding it. I couldn't have cared less my mind began to turn:

Illyria...

Why?

No...

I clenched my fist.

Wait for me Illyria.

I will get that answer from you.

"K. I made up my mind."

There was a small look of surprise on the doctor's face that she didn't bother to hide, and I continued:

"So when can I get that new robotic arm you said?"

Q: Would you like a replacement robotic limb for your current limb?