The ceremony had ended.
The High Regentess was heavily escorted to the convoy parked outside.
Olwen and Apollo were a few paces behind.
The High Regentess stopped in front of a sleek vehicle, turning to the boys.
"Would you like to ride with , son?" She asked Apollo. "There are plenty of things to discuss."
Apollo didn't skip a beat.
"My apologies mother, I have to return to school imdiately."
Again, his tone was unapologetic.
The High Regentess wasn't surprised but she spoke anyway.
"You don't have to, darling. I'll send a ssage to the principal."
Apollo lowered his voice.
"It's a weekday, mother. I'm not even supposed to be out. How will it look if I'm constantly treated differently from other students?"
The High Regentess stiffened, then smiled.
"I raised such an honest young man."
She patted his shoulder goodbye.
Without a second glance, Apollo walked over to the vehicle behind.
Olwen was already standing by the door, waiting.
A smile crept on both their faces as they got into the backseat.
The car drove away.
The High Regentess watched till the car was out of sight, then entered her own ride.
***
As the car got farther away from the formal environnt, Apollo and Olwen gradually eased into the seats.
Their well-practiced serious, adult-like deanor wore off.
"Another one down, a thousand more to go." Olwen was smiling fully.
Apollo looked tired, although not physically.
"Tell about it."
"Mother was quite pleased with your entrance though," Olwen said to brighten him up.
But the High Regentess was always pleased with Apollo. It was a well-known fact.
"You didn't get in trouble for my lateness, did you?" Apollo asked, looking Olwen in the eye.
Olwen shrugged, not breaking eye contact.
"Nothing I can't handle."
Then I changed the topic.
"Did you happen to see that lady in the blue wig?"
Apollo smiled uncontrollably then burst into laughter, shaking his head.
Olwen laughed with him.
They both looked out their respective windows, grinning.
***
It was seven o'clock in the morning.
A few early students jogged around the school field.
So retreated to the bleachers occasionally for rest and hydration.
Two friends quit the exercise and retired to the bleachers, sitting in the front row.
They drank from their water bottles and tried catching their breath.
"Hey," said one. "Is it true what I've been hearing?"
Her friend sighed.
"There you go again. How am I supposed to know what you've been hearing?"
"About this Kaelitha girl. Did the school board actually let a Zero transfer here?"
Her friend gave her head a tilt.
"Personally I think it's much more complicated than that."
A scoff.
"What are you hinting at? A conspiracy theory?"
"I don't know." She replied with a hand on her chin, deep in thought. "This has never happened before."
"Is she really even a Zero?"
"Well… It's not exactly clear. No one knows her Class, or Ability for that matter."
Their attention shifted to a tall girl jogging on the field. She stopped to pant heavily every few minutes, hands on her knees.
She seed extrely tired but pressed on either way.
"She should give it a break. It's not a trial." the first girl remarked.
Her friend smiled knowingly.
"Are you kidding? That's Mahirah fucking Corvane. She cos out at six and doesn't stop till seven thirty. She's got a drive, I'll give her that."
The first girl brightened in recognition. Then switched to sothing darker.
"Ah yes, how could anyone forget such a wonderful personality?"
The sarcasm was blunt.
On the field, Mahirah Corvane's wristwatch beeped.
Seven thirty.
She let out a breath in relief, panted so more and strode over to the bleachers.
Her sports bag was in a seat not too far from the gossiping girls.
She brought out her water bottle and drank steadily.
Mahirah wiped the sweat off her brow, picked up her bag and walked down the line.
The two girls unconsciously shifted back in their seats as she passed by.
Mahirah smirked.
***
Mahirah ca out of the public bathroom in a towel and headed for the next room, which was the dressing room.
The girls were talking loudly, laughing as they put on their uniforms.
Then Mahirah stepped in.
And the whole place went quiet.
Each girl tended to herself.
Mahirah opened a locker and brought out her uniform.
Then she returned to the bathroom.
The field was almost empty as Mahirah erged from the bathroom area behind the bleachers.
It was a few minutes to eight, and most students were already on their way to class.
Mahirah spotted soone leaning on a light pole.
Casual, with both hands in pockets. Wearing a bored expression.
Apollo.
Mahirah flashed a smile, then quickly replaced it with a frown.
"Didn't expect you to be back this morning." She said as she reached him.
"I got back last night actually."
Apollo didn't look pleased to see her. He didn't look at anything.
Mahirah folded her arms.
"Why are you here?" She asked sharply.
Apollo didn't flinch.
"Gwen said you wanted to see yesterday. About a certain confusion rampaging about. Degradation of rights… sothing like that."
Mahirah scoffed. "Degradation is a term I would never use."
"Do you want to speak with or not?"
Mahirah sighed. "Later. Classes are starting."
Apollo turned and took a few steps forward, then stopped.
"Aren't you coming?"
Mahirah hesitated.
"I have to stop by guidance and counselling," she said.
Apollo didn't say anything more, just walked away.
***
The APG Prep building was segregated from the main school buildings.
Located towards the sides of the high fence, it was closer to nature outside than the rest of the school.
Apollo spotted no one as he walked down the hall.
The classroom door was open.
He entered and slid the door shut.
Then turned.
Soone was standing by the open windows, looking outside.
Average height. Short dark hair.
Apollo's footsteps echoed as he walked further into the empty classroom, casually, with both hands still in his pockets.
And eyes on the unfamiliar girl.
On hearing the footsteps, the girl turned.
Slowly.
Their gaze finally t.
Apollo paused.
The girl's layered hair swayed slightly to the wind, and wispy bangs dangled over her eyebrows.
Their gaze remained locked.
Apollo's blank.
Ti seed to have stopped for a mont.
Then the girl gave a friendly smile.
Apollo was a bit taken, letting his confusion show.
"Hello there." She said,
Apollo's gaze flickered to her shirt.
No na tag.
"Who are you?" He asked. His bored expression had returned.
The girl was pleasantly surprised.
"Oh, you don't know?" She asked, then said under her breath, "Thought the whole world already knew."
She smiled at Apollo again.
"My na is Yesu."
Then placed a hand to her chest.
"Yesu Kaelitha."
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