Chapter 1

A 2-panel comic page. Panel 1: The sun shines over a field of lavender. Panel 2: A pair of eyes open groggily from a nap.
A 4-panel comic page. Panel 1: A teenager with dark hair and light skin reaches out to the lavender. Panel 2: Their hand brushes a lavender flower. Thought bubble: 'Lavender?' Panel 3: Their hand grasps the flower. Thought bubble: 'No...' Panel 4: the panel is all black. Thought bubble: 'That's not right...'
A 5-panel comic page. Panel 1: The teenager wakes up to the sound of their name being called. Speech bubble: 'Beck?' Panel 2: Beck stands alertly and salute the figure off screen. Beck: 'Miss Aarden!' Panel 3: Miss Aarden enters the frame but only her back can be seen. Aarden: 'Oh? Is this such a formal occasion?At ease, Soldier.' Panel 4: Aarden starts to leave. Aarden: 'I'm impressed by your punctuality. You're always quick to come when called. Panel 5: Aarden starts down the a staircase. Aarden: 'Follow me.'
A 7-panel comic page. Panel 1: Beck and Aarden walk down the stairs. Aarden: How has your day been? Panel 2: Beck: 'Um, good, ma'am.' Panel 3: Aarden: 'And your classes? I've been keeping track of your grades. They've improved.' Panel 4: Beck looks surprised. Beck: 'They have?' Panel 5: Beck: 'I mean, thank you, ma'am. Classes are fine.' Panel 6: Aarden smiles, her face shrouded in darkness. Aarden: 'And...your brother? My conversations with him are always so short.' panel 7: Beck: 'Oh, Sammy? He's fine, too. He always tells me to study more.'
A 6-panel comic page. Panel 1: Aarden laughs. Aarden: 'Haha!' Panel 2: Beck looks confused. Aarden: 'You're funny, Beck!' Beck: 'Am I?' Panel 3: Beck smiles. Beck: 'Thank you, ma'am!' Panel 4: Aarden: 'Of course.' Panel 5: Beck watches Aarden walk out of the shadowy stairwell and into the light. Panel 6: Aarden walks towards a semi-circular window.
A 5-panel comic page. Panel 1: Beck cautiously approaches Aarden next to the window where she stands. Panel 2: Beck: 'Miss Aarden? Can I ask a question?' Aarden: 'Of course.' Panel 3: Beck looks stern yet worried. Beck: 'It's been a month. Why did you call for me?' Panel 4: Aarden smiles. 'What a silly question...' Panel 5: Aarden's face is finally fully turned so that the viewer can see her. She is a very beautiful woman with wavy hair and large, round eyes. Aarden: 'You have a match, of course.'
A 6-panel comic page. Panel 1: Beck looks shocked. Beck: A match? Aarden: 'Mm-hmm.' panel 2: Aarden: 'Your opponent's down there waiting for you. I was hoping you'd meet her under different circumstances, but she begged me to challenge you.' Panel 3: Aarden: Of course, I doubt she will be any issue for you, will she?' Beck: 'I, um...' Panel 4: Beck looks scared. Beck: 'No, ma'am.' Panel 5: Aarden looks a bit surprised at Beck's response. Panel 6: Aarden turns to face Beck directly.
A 4-panel comic page. Panel 1: Beck looks worries. Aarden: 'Don't be so nervous, Beck. You're fast. You're strong. I truly believe that. Besides, I wouldn't have permitted this match if I didn't think you were ready.' Panel 2: Beck's gaze is cast toward the side. Aarden: 'And you're ready, aren't you?' Panel 3: Beck looks at Aarden with a newfound determination. Panel 4: Aarden smiles, her hair like a cloud framing her face. Beck: 'Yes, ma'am.' Aarden: Good. Make me proud, Soldier boy.'