Thinking About Future

At the Sarlun High School.

Allynna was still staring at her cell phone, waiting for Sir Leon to reply to her message. After waiting a few minutes, no text messages came in. She placed her cell phone in her bag and resumed reading the history book.

She needed to read the history book quickly to score perfectly on her upcoming exams. Although she didn't particularly enjoy the subject, her excellent memory would be helpful. All she had to do was read it once, and it would be in her mind forever.

She was so focused on her reading that she was unaware the lunch bell had already rung until she heard Lizzy call her name. Allynna immediately closed the history book and looked at Lizzy.

"Ally, let's go to the cafeteria," Lizzy said. Just as Allynna was about to refuse, Lizzy continued, "—don't you dare skip lunch again?"

Allynna wasn't hungry. She had already eaten the sandwich that Lizzy had given her that morning. However, Sir Leon's short message from last night flashed through her mind,  "I didn't want to see my bride underweight."

She exhaled deeply while smiling, remembering that. "Liz, this time, I will join you for lunch." She stood up and followed Lizzy to the cafeteria. When they reached the cafeteria on the top floor, Helen approached them.

"Liz, Ally, could you guys find and take in our table while I order lunch for you two?" Helan asks them. They both nod, then look for an empty table with a good view.

After sitting at the corner table near the window overlooking the garden in the school's backyard, Ally and Lizzy sit next to each other. 

"Ally… have you decided which faculty to continue your studies in?" Lizzy supported her face with one hand while looking at Allynna.

"You know, I was initially interested in Science and Technology. And what I hear, our Empire needs a lot of experts in this field..." She sighed deeply before continuing, "But since my parents died, I became interested in becoming a specialist doctor—" 

"You want to be a doctor? It's impossible." Lizzy was suprised to know Allynna had the intention to become a doctor. That's impossible because Ally doesn't have royal blood. 

"I know it's impossible. But, have you forgotten my mother? She's a doctor even though she's not a specialist. But she can be a general doctor."

"Silly girl! That's why you must read your history book!" Lizzy rolls her eyes, feeling sorry for her best friend, a genius in other subjects but with zero interest and ignorance of history.

"What are you two talking about?" Helan appeared, holding their lunches in his hand. He immediately handed out the set lunch box and sat opposite them.

"Helan! Tell Ally why she can't be a doctor…." Lizzy said as she opened her lunch box.

Helan was surprised to hear Lizzy's words, and he looked at Allynna, "You want to become a doctor?" He asked with an unmistakable skeptical tone.

"Yes! Why are you guys unsure that I can become a doctor?" She raised her eyebrow, disbelieving that her friend was unsupportive of her dream.

"Because you don't have royal blood. You're not even half-blood. That's why we believe you won't be able to be a doctor." Helan smiled before continuing. "So, stop that thought Ally. Better you pursue your first goals, Technology." He patiently explained.

"What are you guys saying? My mom can be a doctor even though she's not a specialist and doesn't have royal blood!?" She said, then ate her lunch. Talking to both of them makes her slightly annoyed.

"That's because your mother is of mixed blood, but she couldn't pass on her blood to you because royal blood ends when a noblewoman marries a commoner. You know your father was a commoner, right?" Lizzy answered between her mouth, still chewing food.

Allynna was stunned to realize this. "Yes, I know that!?"

"Yes, Ally... what Lizzy said is true. You will never be a doctor. Just forget it. Better pursue Technologies. And when you graduate from college, you can apply to the Royal Intelligence." Helen's eyes flash a glimmer of joy when he says, 'Royal Intelligence.'

"Helan! Where is our drink?" Lizzy knit her brows, looking at him.

"Oops! Sorry, I forgot—" Helan immediately ran to find their drink.

"Ally, Why do you look shocked?" Lizzy asks Allynna, who now pauses, holding her spoon near her open mouth.

Allynna did not reply to her. She immediately continued her lunch quietly. Her mind thinks about her late mother. She just realized her mom is half-blood. They never told her about this. Why? This new fact puzzles her.

...

Helan came back with three bottles of water. After being distributed to them, he sat again and ate his lunch.

"How about you, Helan? Where will you continue your studies? Bells Royal University, right?" Lizzy asked.

"I'm still confused, too. My parents wanted me to continue in the Military Academy. But, I want to get into Technology at Bells Royal University. My main goal is to enter Royal Intelligence."

Allynna is slightly interested in the 'Royal Intelligence' that Helan talked about. 

"So the three of us still haven't fixed what to choose, huh?" Lizzy took a deep breath. Moreover, her parents would scold her if they found out that she intended to continue in the arts.

"Huh? Aren't you going to continue in science?" Helan frowned.

Lizzy shook her head, "It was my parent's choice. But my dream, I wanted to enter Art."

Helan almost choked.

"W-H-A-T!? Lizzy, why do you want to enter Art? You're smart enough to take science, you know! After all, you can enter Bells Royal University with Ally. Meanwhile, if you are interested in Art, you can only study at an ordinary campus." Helan explained. Hearing Lizzy wanted to pursue Art somehow could make him worry.

Allynna laughed silently. It turned out that she wasn't the only one confused by Lizzy's stupid way of thinking.

Lizzy rolls her eyes at Helan, saying, "Why do you two take Art so lightly? Studying Art also has great prospects. There are many artists out there who have brilliant careers." She snapped.

"It's not that we take it lightly. But you are smart and talented in science. You can become a scientist and have a career in the Empire. Your prospects are brighter if you continue in science, Liz!" 

"Helan, it's useless for you to talk to her about this. Lizzy is too stubborn to hear your advice, let alone consider it." Allynna chuckled. Lizzy glared at her.

Helan could only sigh deeply as if something was squeezing his heart; it hurt a little. Following Allynna's advice, he kept his mouth shut, no longer wanting to talk about Lizzy's choice. He quickly finished his lunch.

As the three finished their meals, lunchtime was also over. They all return to class to continue self-learning.