Present day

Malacoda bove didn't need a reason. Those were the words whispered on the streets of Vistancia, in the black market and school, in the dark and bleeding forest of the broken district known as Ixtal. The man they called Blackguard didn't need a reason any more than he needed permission— to do an experiment, punish or change a man's fortunes with the turn of a card.

Of course, they weren't wrong as he was the principal of their school. Lue considered as she crossed the forest gate of her school to the hallway. Every act of violence was deliberate and every favour came with enough strings attached to stage a puppet show. Malacoda must have his reasons. Lue is pretty sure about the fact they weren't good ones. Especially when she got fake memories as a present.

She saw the principal and some other staff gathered near the magnificent stone arch that marked the eastern entrance of the school. Three words have been carved into the rock above them: Adroitness, Integrity, and Prosperity. As she moved towards her classroom she thought they might be waiting for the second letter.

The sun was at its peak. The clock struck twelve. It's time. The whole school remained quiet. The students, teachers, everyone froze on their places.

"Good afternoon, everyone. The Ixtal student's association got the second letter of invitation, and I'm pleased to announce, it's a boy from grade 10 C, Lorek Quintus."

The next day, the third letter arrived.

"...the third letter of invitation, and I'm pleased to announce, it's a girl from grade 10 E, Eve Aulus."

Then comes the fourth letter.

"... it's a boy from grade 10 B, Beric Calliope."

Finally the day of the final letter.

"... a girl from grade 10 E, Lue Solane."

-- Present Day--

Lue remembered the feeling of her blood rushing to her temples, the tightness in the pit of her stomach... It was the same feeling. Others were happy, especially Eve, now she doesn't really have to leave her best friend behind like that. The classroom was in total chaos. Lue doesn't know if she should be happy or not. She can't believe her own memories anymore. Did they put the wrong memory of mine going on the off-limits? Maybe in reality I never actually went there. This is the only sensible answer to what's happening right now.

Mr Kael brought a really expensive snack of a total of 15 ruh, of course, it was distributed among all of the winners. Everyone was enjoying their once-in-a-lifetime snack.

Eve sniffs, "Hey Lue, do you smell something burning?"

"Probably..." Lue sniffs, "Not! why? Do you?"

"Uh huh, it seems like some people are burning with jealousy"

Lue rolled her eyes and said, "Gee, I never would have guessed!"

Beric comes up to them and starts to take one snack from each of their packets.

"Aye, what are you doing? Not mine!"

"Why not? It looks tasty!"

"Trust me Lue tastes better!" She giggled

"OH EVEEE!" Beric rushes over Lue, "Ah! Save me from that dirty mind!"

Lue got overwhelmed for a few seconds right there. She felt like she had heard that sentence once before. Lue then replied, "Beric, I'm a mind reader not a mind cleaner!"

"Since when?" Eve asked

"Before you were even born"

"Well, that wasn't very long ago then, was it!"

"Don't start." Beric quietly said to himself rather than to them.

“Don’t start what?” Lue asked turning towards him

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You both always do this.”

She masked a pfft with a smirk.

“Oh no, I wouldn't want to ruin Lue's special day.” Eve said dramatically, "Don't worry Beric!"

"Ugh, there's not even a single chance for me to be the winner, is there?"

"Fortunately not!" Lue giggled

Just two claps were enough to make the class silent and draw all the attention to Mr Kael.

"I congratulate all the winners again and I want them to know that they have to come to school tomorrow and I will give you a special session before leaving sector five. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" they said together.

"Special session with him..." Lue whispered.

"I wanna skip," Eve whispered back, "You remember what happened last time, right?"

"Ah! Just thinking about those pushups makes my back sore."

After school, in that welcome amber glow the time of slower thoughts has arrived. It is those moments when with open eyes their brain becomes as clear as an empty horizon, seeing, yet content to sit. They feel the soothing breeze, become absorbed in the music of crickets, letting the gentle energy of nature wash in.

Suddenly they feel something else in the mix — a mosquito buzzing around their face!

"Well then see you all tomorrow!" Lue jumped ahead and waved them

Eve stretched her arms and said, "then I am leaving too..." She gestured at Beric, "Come. Let's go! Bye, humans!"

The only people still present were the twins and Lorek.

"You are returning home Loerek?" Kayan asks.

"You can come with us if you want..." Ayaan added

Lorek bent down and started tying his shoelace as he replied, "Thanks for the offer buds, but I think I will be better at home."

"Oh, okay then! See you!"

Lue flew home and scampered into the house. She was so excited and eager to tell her mother about this incredibly awesome news. It was as if a river bubbling through her veins and flushing on her face.

"MOOOOMMMM!" She called her out as she threw her bag somewhere in the room.

"I am outside!" A voice came from a distance

"Mom!" Lue hung on the door that led to their garden. "You know I got selected. Today was the day of the last letter right? I was so sure that I wouldn't get selected but to my surprise I got in."

Her mother looked at her and forced her face to give a smile. "Really? That's amazing! I am proud of you. Should I cook something delicious today?"

Lue stepped aside as her mother entered the house and started to head towards the kitchen.

"Mom, aren't you happy?"

It was always easy for Lue to tell whether someone was putting on a fake smile or just saying honey-coated words out of pressure. It was something she appreciated and depreciated at the same time. This is due to the fact that some moments like this are ruined. A real smile or neutral lips are both good; fake smiles simply say you are scared or uncomfortable. She just wants her mother's face to look like it does naturally in the moment, and she'll always be beautiful to her. Lue didn't say anything anymore and left her room to prepare for tomorrow.

On the other hand Eve was having a blast with her father. Enjoying every moment before she has to leave the sector. Beric was having a pleasant chat with his parents at home too. They all looked happy and proud of telling their parents everything that had happened. Ayaan and Kayan were having their own small party with their parents. Even though Kayan couldn't get in he was happy for his brother and everyone else. Even though he was disappointed because he couldn't get in and Lue got in despite her disqualification.

Lorek was almost in front of his house. He had no one to come home to, so he strolled around before he walked home. Some people might disagree with the fact that Vistancia looks so picturesque in the evening and the chilling breeze is all they might need after a long day. The lights in his house were on which was pretty visible from the window. The only light in his house was on. But how? Prior to leaving his home, he switched off the bulb and blew out the lamps. Slowly, he squatted down and approached his house. He rushed inside as he flew through the door with a bang and froze on his feet.