Scholarship

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In the ethereal Chamber of Stars, two figures knelt on the shimmering ground—Maric and Sharron, their forms silhouetted against the celestial backdrop. The chamber, a sacred place imbued with mystical energies, held a sense of timelessness and gravity.

Maric, with a furrowed brow, broke the silence. "I wonder if His Majesty can aid us at this time," he murmured, his voice tinged with hope and desperation. They needed Arthur's help for an upcoming, specific challenge.

Sharron, her voice steady but laced with urgency, added, "They possess an artifact capable of making us lose control. I wish His Majesty could bless us with protection for our minds. Of course, we are willing to pay the price."

Arthur, standing with an air of calm authority, responded casually, "Just help my beloved with his affairs if you meet him."

Maric, eager to know more, asked, "May I ask the identity of your blessed?" His curiosity about another member of the Golden Order was palpable.

Arthur's reply was cryptic, yet final. "You will meet when the stars in the night align."

With that, Arthur disconnected from the place, leaving the chamber in a profound silence. The conversation remained known only to them, the request for aid and the promise of future meeting sealed in the sacred space of the Chamber of Stars.

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In the tranquil morning atmosphere of 2 Daffodil Street in Tingen City, Benson Moretti was deeply engrossed in the morning newspaper, his breakfast toast forgotten on his plate. Melissa, clad in a flowing black dress, observed her brother's preoccupation with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"The Civil Servant Unified Examination Bill passed?" Melissa queried, her voice soft yet probing as she gestured towards the newspaper that had dominated the headlines in recent days.

Benson lowered the paper, running a hand through his dark hair before responding with a nod. "Yes, it did."

A weighty silence descended upon the room, punctuated only by the occasional clink of cutlery and the gentle rustling of Bella, their trusted maid, as she emerged from the kitchen. Her presence brought a comforting familiarity to the otherwise tense atmosphere.

"You saw this coming," Benson remarked, breaking the silence and nodding towards the newspaper. "But what's more pressing is the news from before that."

Melissa's brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? What news was that?"

Benson leaned back in his chair, folding the newspaper neatly beside his plate. "Backlund Polytechnic is set to be upgraded into a full-fledged university," he explained, his tone becoming animated. "They're restructuring their curriculum to focus more on technical education, moving away from the emphasis on grammar and classical literature."

Melissa considered this new information, her mind racing with implications and uncertainties. "But..."

Benson anticipated her concerns and interjected gently, "The best part is, tuition fees will be much more affordable compared to places like Tingen, Perth, and the other universities. It's akin to Constant Industry University in Midseashire. Plus, there will be numerous scholarship opportunities available. Melissa, you've always had a passion for machinery and steam. This could be your chance to delve deeper into what you love."

Melissa paused, her gaze shifting to the array of components scattered across the tea table. "What about Bella?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

The mention of Bella touched a sensitive nerve. Since Klein's passing, Melissa had been reluctant to hire more help, but the thought of Bella losing her livelihood troubled her deeply.

Benson offered a reassuring smile, understanding his sister's unspoken worries. "We have time to help Bella find another job before we make any changes. She's improved her cooking skills significantly; she could easily find work as a chef elsewhere. In the meantime, we'll continue to support her until she settles into a new position."

Melissa nodded thoughtfully, absorbing his words. Benson, sensing her uncertainty, reached out to touch his hair absentmindedly before continuing, "I've decided to resign from my current position tomorrow and focus on preparing for the university entrance exams. Most job opportunities are in Backlund, so that's where I aim to go. I hope we can make the move together."

After a brief silence, Melissa nodded again, her expression softened by a mixture of determination and apprehension. "I understand," she replied quietly.

Their conversation continued, weaving through plans, uncertainties, and hopes for the future. Interspersed with mundane discussions about the weather, local gossip, and even Bella's culinary skills, it reflected their deep bond and shared commitment to navigating life's transitions with grace and resilience.

As they contemplated the possibilities that lay ahead, the peaceful ambiance of 2 Daffodil Street was interrupted by the clear chime of the doorbell.

Both Benson and Melissa exchanged a surprised glance before Benson rose from his seat to answer the door. A courier stood on the doorstep, holding out two letters addressed to them.

"Hello, are you Mr. Benson and Ms. Melissa?" the courier asked politely.

Benson nodded, taking the letters from him. "Yes, we are."

The courier handed over the letters and promptly continued on his way, leaving Benson to close the door behind him.

Curious, Melissa leaned forward with a teasing smile. "What's inside? Don't tell me it's from your girlfriend," she joked lightly.

Benson chuckled and handed one of the letters to Melissa. "Open it and find out," he replied, his own curiosity mounting.

Melissa eagerly tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. As she read, her eyes widened in astonishment.

"Benson, listen to this," Melissa began, her voice filled with excitement. "Dear Ms. Melissa, we are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for a scholarship at Backlund University of Technology. Your dedication to mechanical engineering and your outstanding academic record have impressed our selection committee. We will cover all your university fees, provide accommodations, and offer monthly financial support. We look forward to welcoming you to Backlund and nurturing your potential in the field."

The letter was signed by the Minister of Education, Mr. Bollas.

Meanwhile, Benson had opened his own letter and was reading it quietly. His expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief, and then to pure elation.

"Melissa, you won't believe this," Benson finally managed to say, his voice tinged with excitement.

Melissa looked up from her own letter, noticing the joy in Benson's eyes. "What is it?" she asked eagerly.

Benson held out his letter to her, pointing to a specific paragraph. "Dear Mr. Benson," Melissa read aloud, "we want to congratulate you for passing our criteria and being eligible for a scholarship. We have recognized your talent in electricity and are willing to sponsor you until you become a valuable member of society. Everything will be covered by us—the university fees, accommodations, and even monthly pocket money. We eagerly await your arrival in Backlund. You can confirm the details from your nearby education agency."

Melissa's eyes widened in disbelief. "Benson, that's incredible! They're offering you a full scholarship too!"

Benson nodded enthusiastically, unable to contain his excitement. "I can't believe it either! This is a dream come true."

Melissa laughed joyfully, feeling a rush of happiness for her brother. "It's amazing news for both of us. We can pursue our dreams together."

Benson smiled warmly at Melissa. "Absolutely. Let's confirm everything with the education agency and start planning for our new adventure in Backlund."

As they sat together, discussing the next steps and imagining their future in Backlund, they felt a deep sense of gratitude and optimism. The scholarship letters had not only brought unexpected opportunities but also strengthened their bond as siblings, united in their determination to seize the opportunities that lay ahead.

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