An Unplanned Meeting

A day had passed since the conclusion of the first part of the entrance exam to ARET; being very early in the morning, certain cars of the same make and design began to have the same destination: El Fuencarral-El Pardo. That great land where the second stage of the entrance exam would begin.

Arriving around 7:50 am, the cars parked inside the restricted place. Little by little, several young people could be seen getting out of each car. In total there were about 57 applicants who had passed the interview and had the opportunity to take the special exam.

- Three ... four ... five ... There are about 60 applicants ... What happened to the others? - Liam muttered as he looked at the other young people.

As everyone was being directed towards the meeting place, a familiar voice caught the boy's attention.

- Liam? ... Is that you?

The young man turned immediately with some surprise, because, seeing the figure of the one who had called him, he could recognize an old acquaintance.

- Daniel? What are you doing here?

The young albino with whom he had shared hard, but great moments spoke with equal surprise.

- It's really you! ... I'm here to take the reformed exam.

The boy with the patch was a bit thoughtful, but then he remembered the time Daniel had told him about taking an exam at a certain famous institute.

Liam sighed.

- I should have known... well, never mind... it's nice to see you again, it seems that our farewell was brief. - commented the boy somewhat resigned.

- Yes, now that I remember, you had said you were going to take an entrance exam to an academy ... it's a surprise that we both aimed at the same thing.

- Yes ... a coincidence ...

Suddenly both young men, who were seen out of the corner of their eyes by the other applicants, most of whom were the same age as the pair, heard a voice coming from in front of them.

Even though the place was empty, with only a platform as a dais, a few seats, and some instructors and officers, the presence of the woman who had welcomed them from the beginning showed up.

- It is the duchess ...

- Yes ... she is really more beautiful in person ...

- They say she is engaged...

- Really? To whom?

The murmurings of the young postulants were silenced when that lieutenant general, André Paredes, raised his voice without the need to use any megaphone or anything like that.

- From now on, as you know, explanations will be given on what the second stage of the entrance exam will consist of. Everyone present should pay full attention to what the Duchess will say. Afterwards, there will be no counseling whatsoever.

Having said the above, entering the stage, a young red-haired girl took her place as the hostess and responsible for that event.

- Good morning everyone. I am pleased to see the number of applicants in this last test. However, before I begin ... I would like to let all 58 applicants have a chance to listen to the indications.

Everyone present was confused by that statement, weren't they all gathered together?

Suddenly, the sound of a car parked close to where everyone was. A few seconds later, the hurried footsteps and the agitation of a young man who was approaching could be heard.

- Who could it be? - asked Daniel.

- ...

Soon the silhouette of a young man with black hair and green eyes came into view. He looked familiar to the pair of boys.

- Looks like this ... is going to get interesting. - commented Liam with a certain sarcastic smile on his face when he saw who was approaching late.

- Ha ha... It's a surprise, isn't it? - added Daniel who had a smile along with a distrustful look as he clearly saw who had arrived.

With loud exhalations, that young man arrived at the place where the last exam would be given.

- Young Renato, I'm glad you didn't miss the explanation of this test. I think you had some trouble getting there, but don't worry and take a seat, please. - commented Sofia.

- Y-Yes ... thank you ...

The young man sat down in one of the last rows by inertia.

- You look exhausted, here... I lend you my handkerchief to wipe your sweat.

- Oh thank you, that's very kind.

As he was wiping the sweat from his forehead, Renato realized something; that voice was one he knew.

Slowly, the young man turned his head to the person who had lent him the rag.

- Hello," said Daniel, who was sitting to Liam's left.

The young man was silent.

- What, you're not going to say hello to some old friends? - asked Liam sarcastically.

Renato remained silent and just returned the handkerchief; then he turned to the front to listen to what the hostess would say.

- Well, now that we are all here, as I had mentioned, of the 69 initial applicants, we have been able to confirm the number of 58 individuals who show signs of being potential reformed ... Therefore, this exam will be a sample for the eyes of the instructors and teachers of the ARET to see if they are really qualified to be students of the "R" class.

All the young people were attentive to the words of the young duchess.

- Each of you has been assigned a code number for the exam, and the test will consist of knowing at least the code number of three applicants. For this, you will be in the bowels of this area where you will have two days to do so.

One of the young men raised his hand.

- Excuse me ... what ways or methods can we use to achieve the objective.

The Duchess smiled.

- It will not be accepted that anyone does any mortal harm among the participants, if that is what you are asking. For this we have 21 instructors who will supervise them and intervene if necessary.

Another young man raised his hand.

- Don't you think it will be very difficult to get someone to confess to saying their code without harming them?

- I understand your point; therefore, it will not be necessary to go to such extremes, since everyone has, in one of their pockets of their clothing, a token with their code. Be cautious.

All the postulants suddenly began to rummage through their clothes and certainly found strange objects that they had not had before.

The thought was unanimous.

"When did they put this on us!"

- It is only necessary to know the number, it is forbidden for them to appropriate another applicant's file. After all, we only want you to discover two other applicants' codes, not kill each other over a simple piece of plastic ... For this test, any use of the skills or abilities you have is allowed and as an incentive for you to use them, those who fail will receive a penalty of obtaining a debt to ARET in the amount of 2.5 million dollars.

Everyone present was stunned to hear this.

- What does this mean, why would we owe them that kind of money just for failing to pass! - exclaimed one applicant.

A few others began to complain, but others remained quietly silent.

- I think they should read everything they sign. - replied Sofia with a smile.

- W-What do you mean?

- In the enrollment process, in the twenty-first paragraph of the affidavit, you agreed to these terms. Again, you should read the entire contents of the contract.

The applicants didn't seem to believe what he was saying, but one of them silenced the rest.

- Well ... is there anything else we should know? - said a young man who was about 17 years old with black hair and a somber look.

- Yes ... plus you will have some other 'small' obstacles to deal with at a certain time of day ... a word of advice, seek shelter from six o'clock onwards.

No one seemed to heed this instruction because of what was said before.

- Well, now you will all be taken to different starting places.

- No! I'm not going anywhere! - exclaimed one of the participants.

- Me too! - exclaimed another.

Suddenly, the group of officers blocked the exit.

- No matter what they say now, we will still take them to the place. - replied the duchess with the same smile, only now it seemed to be a bit intimidating.

Out of nowhere, all the officers and instructors, as well as the duchess, put on a gas mask. This totally baffled the young men.

Suddenly, a gas began to fill the whole atmosphere.

- W-What is this?!

- Why are you doing this to us?!

- Let me out!

 The young people began to shout for help, but they could only hear a few last words from that young red-haired woman.

- Next time, don't forget to read the fine print. - she commented with the same expression as before.

All 58 applicants fell unconscious on the floor.

- The exam starts now. - added the duchess.

The light from the sun's rays partially illuminated the bed in a room where a young brown woman was sitting on it while keeping her gaze down.

The thoughtful expression on the young woman's face seemed to be somewhat troubling; however, at once, another young woman entered the room.

- So... are you planning to leave today? - asked the woman with no bad intentions, rather it was one of concern.

- Yes ...

The blonde-haired girl sighed after hearing that answer.

- Alicia ... stop thinking about what that guy said ... he only wanted to know about your friend; that doesn't mean he wants to hurt him. - Lois tried to comfort her friend.

- ... Yes ... maybe ... 

- Come on ... you won't be able to do much in that state ... besides, if what that guy is true, you have the chance to start a new life ... you won't have many obstacles this time in your journey.

As if the woman's words could alleviate a little of the young woman's worries, Alicia began to recover.

- Yes, you are right. I think I've had enough of being depressed ... I have to achieve my goal.

Lois smiled and they began to have a pleasant chat between the two young women, meanwhile, outside the room, there was an elderly man in a black suit who sighed with a slight smile. It was as if he had heard everything that was said inside.

- Don't you think it's in bad taste to spy on women? - asked another white-haired male dressed in a montsuki, traditional Japanese clothing, who appeared in the passageway.

- Come on, Hayato... Aren't you interested in that girl too?

The gray-haired man sighed.

- Well, it's about time we went back to finish our business in Luesia, isn't it?

- ...About that...

Hearing Hayato's words, Thomas was somewhat interested in what he had to say.

- It seems that Mayor Victoria's residence suffered an attack a couple of weeks ago. The news said that there was an explosion that left several people injured.

- What?!

The news of that incident had already reached the ears of that guardian.

It was about 11 am, when a notice arrived at the room where the young heiress of the Marquis Gutierrez was staying. Two visitors had arrived with great concern at the doors of the Beltran residence.

Waiting for that pair in the room and being in silence, the doors opened and let Emily in along with a couple of servants.

The two women who saw the young woman immediately went to her and embraced her as if they were sisters.

- Miss! Is it really you?!

- Is it true everything that you told us?!

Some tearful questions were asked to that young lady, but with great warmth the young lady said a few words.

- I am very happy to see you... Riza, Noria...

The young woman began to cry with joy. A surprise meeting with her two former servants who had traveled for her studies and whom she considered as her friends took place in that hour.

Again, rays of light illuminated the face of a young man who seemed to have been asleep for a few hours. Gradually he began to wake up and got up from the grass.

Looking at his surroundings, the young man remembered what had happened earlier.

- Sleeping gas ... well, at least I seem to be alone. - Said Liam who looking to his side, was a 1 liter bottle of water.

Picking it up, he looked to see if there was anything else, but found nothing.

- Well, I won't die of dehydration, now... What should I do?

An extensive field with some trees was the panorama that the boy had in front of him.

Walking as if on a stroll, a young man with white hair and scarlet eyes seemed to be meditating.

"Where am I? ... Being 58 participants, how far apart will we be ... On the other hand, where will those two be?"

The young man was still walking aimlessly. After a few minutes, as he took a sip of water, he could hear the sound of pebbles falling.

"What was that?"

Only a small squirrel that had passed by was the reason for that sound.

"Hahh... I look like a fool... I think it would be best to find Liam and Renato... maybe we can team up... besides, why did the duchess say to seek shelter before six?"

Being hidden in the bushes, a young man seemed to turn his back on a first encounter between two postulants.

- As long as you don't die, I won't have any problems, will I? - said a young man of about 16 who appeared to be aggressive-looking.

- ... It won't be as easy as you think ... I won't be owing anyone more than 2 million. - replied another young man who looked a bit fearful.

- Ha ha ... this from someone whose legs are shaking. Don't waste my time and give me your chip.

- Y-You're stupid? Dead first.

- Suit yourself ... you know, there are ways to disguise a murder as an accident and I know a few ways to do it without anyone noticing.

The fearful young man was beginning to sweat as he slowly backed away with plans to escape.

"Should I help him?" wondered Renato as he remained hidden.

Before he could act, however, the young man sensed something, a feeling.

There was a small rodent, a squirrel constantly watching him. After a few seconds, the squirrel scurried out of his presence.

"What was that?"

The question would be answered immediately.

- M-My token! You little rat! Where are you?! - was heard as the voice of that fearful young man exclaimed.

When Renato looked out of the corner of his eye, he could see something incredible.

That little squirrel had stolen the token from the young man and handed it to the other, who was now holding it with great pride.

- 4711, eh? - commented that violent-looking young man as he read the token.

- G-Give it back!

The young man who had a squirrel on his shoulder only smiled in a bad way when he heard this and immediately threw the token into the bushes where Renato was hiding.

That young man ran away after this, while the other one quickly began to look for his token.

The token was rooted in a bush a couple of centimeters from Renato's right shoulder who could see the code as well.

Footsteps were heard coming towards him.