Max had accurately forecasted the outcome of the exam, it was a piece of cake. Sabir was hitting his stride on the last problem when a shriek of an alarm sliced through the atmosphere of the room.

Students exchanged confused glances, and the room buzzed with hushed whispers. Sabir looked up to see Mr. Roskob, his usually composed face now etched with concern.

“Silence!” Mr. Roskob commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Remain in your seats.”

The alarm continued to blare, and the tension in the room was palpable. Mr. Roskob moved to the front of the class, addressing the students gravely. “A rift has opened in The Commons. It has been years since this has happened in our area, but rest assured, a guild will take care of it quickly.”

Rifts occasionally appeared throughout Havana, releasing dangerous creatures into their world. Dealing with these rifts fell to hunters, a profession both highly paid and highly respected. Hunters were the most powerful Espers, individuals with extraordinary abilities, and they wielded significant influence in society. Many hunters had achieved celebrity status, their exploits broadcasted and celebrated by the public.

Guilds, operating as influential enterprises, employed these hunters. Their primary goal was profit, leveraging the hunters’ abilities to take on a variety of tasks. From killing monsters and exploring the wild to protecting citizens and investigating supernatural phenomena, hunters were versatile and indispensable. The strongest hunters could command immense fees for their services, making the profession one of the most lucrative in Havana.

Disregarding Roskob’s reassurances, Sabir found it easier to remain calm than his peers. Having grown up in The Limbo, he had grown accustomed to the constant threat of monsters lurking around every corner. Unlike his classmates, who seemed on edge, Sabir had confidence in Havana’s ability to handle the situation. He glanced over at Max and saw that he was more excited than anxious, his eyes gleaming with the prospect of a new adventure.

The alarm eventually stopped, and Sabir forced himself to return to the paper in front of him, answering the remaining questions with a renewed urgency.

After two grueling hours, Sabir’s body felt stiff from sitting so long. Closing his exam paper, he stretched his arms and rotated his neck, trying to shake off the tension. The alarm and the news of the rift still weighed heavily on his mind, but he felt a sense of relief wash over him as the exam finally ended.

“Make sure you leave your exam papers on your desk with your names on it. And I suppose congratulations is in order. You kids have completed your education,” Mr. Roskob announced, his voice carrying a rare note of pride. “While you may not possess great powers, your minds are just as sharp as any other child. But remember to stay focused and keep learning, especially you, Mr. Crawford,” he added, directing a long, stern gaze at Max, who seated himself in front of Sabir.

“With that said, all the Beacon schools in Havana will be celebrating your graduation and handing out your diplomas next week in Tetra City. It’s a formal event, so I expect those of you attending to dress properly.” Roskob’s typically apathetic tone contrasted with the celebratory news, making it somewhat off-putting.

Max groaned at the professor’s direct warning, his usual confidence momentarily deflated. In contrast, Samantha, sitting in the front row, was already on her feet, eager to leave. She gave the two boys a nod, signaling for them to follow her out. With that signal and a last farewell from their professor, the two young men rose from their seats and headed for the door.

Just as they were about to step out, Mr. Roskob’s voice called out again. “Also, Mr. Quinn, can I speak to you for a moment?”

Sabir stopped in his tracks, turning to face the professor with a look of surprise. Even Max, typically unfazed, looked slightly perturbed. Sabir couldn’t recall doing anything wrong, and besides his challenging living situation, he was an exemplary student.

Sabir glanced at Max and Samantha, who exchanged worried looks but nodded encouragingly. He took a deep breath and approached Mr. Roskob’s desk, his mind racing with possibilities of what this unexpected conversation could be about. As the last few students filed out of the classroom, the door closed behind them, leaving Sabir alone with the teacher.

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“Yes, Professor Roskob?” Sabir asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Mr. Roskob leaned back in his chair, his stern expression softening slightly. “Sabir, I wanted to commend you on your performance today and throughout the year. You’ve shown remarkable resilience and dedication, especially given your circumstances.”

Sabir felt a mix of relief and confusion. “Thank you, sir.”

Mr. Roskob gestured to the chair opposite his desk. “Please, sit down. I want to assure you, you’re not in any trouble.”

Sabir let out a sigh of relief and sat down, curiosity replacing his initial anxiety. “Then why did you want to see me?”

Mr. Roskob smiled. “I have an opportunity for you. One of my friends at Kajima Labs has kindly offered an internship for a talented student, and I’ve recommended you for the position. You’ll be assisting in the lab, gaining valuable experience and enhancing your resume.”

Sabir’s eyes widened with hope. The thought of an internship at Kajima Labs, a prestigious company known for its scientific advancements, filled him with excitement. This could be his chance to improve his circumstances and perhaps move to a better place. He shook Professor Roskob’s hand enthusiastically. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

Roskob nodded, his stern expression softening slightly. “I’m sure you won’t, Sabir. You’ve proven yourself capable time and again.”

Sabir’s mind raced with possibilities, but he focused on the present. “What will I be doing at Kajima Labs, sir?”

“I’ll give you the details after the graduation party,” Roskob replied. “My friend from Kajima Labs will be there, and I’ll introduce you then. He’ll provide all the information you need.”

“Understood,” Sabir said, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. The graduation party was only a week away, and the idea of attending a formal event in Tetra was both daunting and thrilling.

Roskob leaned back in his chair, studying Sabir for a moment. “This is a great opportunity, Sabir. Make sure you’re prepared. Dress appropriately and be ready to make a good impression.”

Sabir nodded earnestly. “I will, sir. Thank you again.”

Roskob dismissed him with a nod, and Sabir left the classroom, his mind still buzzing with the unexpected news. He stepped into the hallway where Max and Samantha were waiting.

“What did he want?” Max asked, curiosity and concern etched on his face.

Sabir grinned. “He offered me an internship at Kajima Labs.”

Samantha’s face lit up with a warm smile. “You deserve this, Sabir. I’m so happy for you.”

Max, however, seemed less enthused. He was happy for Sabir, but a hint of skepticism crept into his expression. “That sounds like a lot of work, man. You sure you want to dive into something like that right away? You know, I’ve been thinking—maybe we could team up and become detectives. Imagine it, solving mysteries, taking down bad guys… way more exciting than being stuck in a lab all day. I mean, sure, Kajima Labs has made every big invention in Havana, but aren’t you just becoming another cog in this capitalistic state?”

Max’s eyes grew bigger as he grabbed Sabir by the shoulders. “C’mon man, you’re from The Limbo. You know as well as anyone that these people don’t care about the little guys, and you want to work for them!”

Sabir nuzzled Max’s hands off his shoulders. “Max, I get where you’re coming from. But this isn’t just about working for some big company. It’s about getting out of The Limbo and making a better life for myself.”

Max looked taken aback, and his expression softened. “I get that, man. I just don’t want you to lose sight of who you are.”

Samantha stepped in, her tone firm yet kind. “Max, Sabir’s doing what he thinks is best. And besides, if he’s on the inside, maybe he can make a difference. Y’know, like, change things from within.”

Max sighed, conceding the point. “Alright, alright. Just promise me you won’t turn into one of those corporate bastards.”

Sabir chuckled. “Promise.” Max nodded in acceptance and led them to leave the school building.

As they started walking towards the school exit, Max’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Hey, remember that rift that opened during the exam? I’m dying to see what happened. You two should come with me.”

Sabir shrugged, not interested. “I don’t know, Max. I’ve seen enough monsters in The Limbo. Too many, if you ask me.”

Samantha, visibly nervous, added, “And what if it’s dangerous? We should probably stay away.”

Max grinned, his enthusiasm undeterred. “C’mon, it’s a rare opportunity! We might never see something like this again. Besides, it’ll be safe, whatever guild took the job will have already taken care of it.”

Sabir glanced at Samantha, who still seemed hesitant. After a moment’s pause, he sighed and nodded. “Alright, let’s go. But if things look sketchy, we’re leaving.”

Samantha reluctantly agreed, and the trio made their way towards the site of the rift. As they walked, Sabir pulled out his pass. It had a bar that was about 60% filled with a greenish-yellow color, showing he still had time to spare. “Alright, I’ve got some time. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.”

“How are we gonna find where it happened, anyway?” enquired Sabir.

Max looked back at the both of them with a wide toothy grin. “Just look for some yellow tape, of course.”

Sabir and Samantha looked at each other with exasperation, their hands coming up to their faces in unison as they attempted to hide the grinding of their teeth. Max’s stupidity was reaching new heights, and it was hard to fathom how one person could be so infuriatingly stupid.