Chapter — 4.

From the second-floor balcony, the man who had been watching Leya tracked her steps toward the simulation area.

Someone appeared at his shoulder. "Interesting, isn't it? You don't see many people come back after six years out."

"She's not ordinary," replied the man named Kaisar.

His companion pressed further. "You know her?"

Kaisar shook his head, though his eyes never left Leya's path below. A faint smile crossed his face. "Just a hunch — that woman is going to make this place very interesting."

The flight simulation center sat at the rear of the academy campus. A large building, its walls mostly thick glass panels that caught the morning sun.

A handful of trainees had already gathered there. The moment Leya arrived, the whispering started up again.

"She's actually doing the test?"

"Six years without flying — seriously?"

"She's just looking for attention!"

Ignoring them, Leya walked calmly to the instructor's desk. The same man from the administration office stood there, tablet in hand.

"Airbus A320 simulation. Emergency scenario," he said curtly, then looked at Leya with a flat expression. "You still remember the procedures?"

"I do." Leya answered without hesitation.

A few trainees snickered. "She sure is confident!"

"If you fail, this is over!" The instructor didn't smile.

"Understood," Leya replied.

She walked toward the simulator room. The automatic doors slid open, releasing the smell of machinery and electronics. Inside stood a full-size cockpit simulator — a near-perfect replica of a real aircraft cockpit, its control panel dense with buttons, digital screens, and dimly blinking indicator lights.

Leya paused in the doorway for a few seconds, her hand touching the side of the simulator. Six years since she had touched any of this. But instead of awkwardness, something stirred in her chest — an old feeling she had suppressed for years. Longing. Adrenaline.

Without a word, she climbed into the pilot's seat, put on the headset, and pulled her chair forward slightly. Her hands moved across the panel, checking switches by reflex — far too quick for someone who had been grounded for six years.

The instructor stood behind her with his arms crossed.

"Okay! Simulation in three... two... one..."

The large cockpit screen lit up. A runway stretched ahead, the virtual aircraft in takeoff position.

Outside the room, the trainees watched through the glass.

"Give her five minutes before she panics."

"An engine failure alone will be enough to make her quit."

But inside the cockpit, Leya already had her hand on the throttle.

"Power set," the instructor announced.

The virtual engines roared. The aircraft began rolling down the runway.

"Speed alive."

The indicator needle climbed.

"V1... rotate."

The simulated aircraft lifted off the runway.

Outside the room, the whispers began to die down.

Every movement was steady. No trembling hands, no trace of panic. The instructor pressed several buttons on the rear control panel. A split second later, an alarm blared and red lights flooded the cockpit.

ENGINE FAILURE.

One engine went dead. The simulated aircraft immediately banked hard to the right.

"Here we go! Now let's see!" Several trainees called out.

Inside the room, Leya didn't panic. Her eyes stayed locked on the panel. "Engine one failure confirmed."

Her hands moved fast, rebalancing the aircraft's controls.

"Maintaining heading."

The aircraft gradually stabilized. The instructor said nothing, but his eyes narrowed slightly. Then several warning lights lit up simultaneously.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WARNING.

The simulated aircraft shuddered again. Every face behind the glass went tense.

One of the trainees swallowed hard. "That's a tough combination..."

But inside the cockpit, Leya only grew more focused.

"Switching to backup system."

"Click... click... click..."

Her hands flew across the buttons. Within seconds, the aircraft stabilized again.

The control room went silent. No one was laughing anymore — no one even dared to mock her. Only the hum of the simulator filled the space. A few minutes later, the simulation ended. The screen went dark. Engines powered down.

Leya removed her headset and rose from the seat. No relief on her face, no pride — as though the whole thing had been routine.

"You still remember everything." The instructor looked at her with new eyes. His expression stayed neutral, but his tone had shifted.

She stepped down from the cockpit. "I haven't forgotten."

Walking toward the exit, she heard the sound of slow applause before the door had fully opened. Everyone turned. There stood Kaisar — the only one clapping. His gaze rested on Leya, calm but full of curiosity.

"Not bad," Kaisar said, his tone casual.

Several trainees exchanged looks. After a simulation that difficult, all he could say was not bad?

Leya glanced over, one eyebrow raised. "Not bad?"

Kaisar gave a faint smile. "For someone who supposedly hasn't flown in six years."

Leya fixed him with a long, measuring look. "If you think it was only 'not bad,' you're welcome to try."

A few trainees held their breath. The nerve of this woman.

But Kaisar didn't look offended. He actually laughed softly. "Maybe later."

He walked closer, his steps unhurried, and stopped one pace in front of Leya.

"My name is Kaisar." He extended his hand.

Leya didn't take it. "I didn't ask."

He laughed again and withdrew his hand, sliding it into his pocket. "Fair enough. But we're gonna see a lot of each other here. So... figured we should get acquainted."

Their gazes locked.

"We might not," Leya replied shortly.

She turned and walked away from the simulation room. But before she'd gotten far, Kaisar's voice carried from behind her.

"By the way — if that's your performance after six years away, I'm curious what you were like when you were still an active pilot."

She stopped and glanced back over her shoulder. "A little better than today."

With that, she kept walking and left the room.

Kaisar remained where he stood. His companion appeared at his side again, arms crossed, watching the door she had walked through.

"You were right. This academy is going to get interesting because of her."

Kaisar didn't answer. He just smiled.

Meanwhile, Leya had no idea she'd just caught the attention of a pilot who also happened to be the heir to the country's largest airline. And the sky she had once abandoned was beginning to open its path for her again.

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