“Hey, Reina, wait up,” Tiger called out, walking with the others close behind.

Couldn’t this guy take a hint that someone wanted to be alone?

“What do you think of Naomi? Not the type of instructor I expected within a school like Seya.”

I was surprised as well. But anyone who offered sweet treats and thought-provoking questions was okay in my book. Of course, I wouldn’t let him know that.

“Her class was sufficient. I still don’t understand her remarks at the end, though. Maybe I just need to think on them more.” I said, hoping my nonchalance would end the conversation.

“Well, I liked her, probably even more than the teachers in my last district. And the mind-space was awesome! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can’t wait to learn again!” Kimberly enthused, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Chase adjusted his glasses. “I agree. I was worried our lessons would be subliminal since we’re at the bottom of the rankings, but it was very… insightful.”

He then glanced at me, causing me to turn around with a smirk spreading across my lips.

Was he making fun of me? That game was stupid, anyway. I don’t know how anyone could win a game of diplomacy without using brute force. I can’t believe I lost to him seven times because of that stupid rule.

“Looks like we’re the first ones out of class,” Tiger observed, glancing down the hall.

The doors to the rest of the classrooms were still closed, obscured by white-opaque film. I didn’t like that their class time surpassed ours, but it didn’t necessarily mean they were learning more. Regardless, that one rule was only imposed on them and not on me.

We then walked to the elevator and pressed the panel button to the upper floor. The doors opened, and we moved outside. The floor was a shiny white, with a long corridor with glossy-black doors a few feet apart along the wall. As we walked past, the doors had two names on both sides of the door. Interesting approach to have two students assigned to a room. Did they do that to help build relationships of some sort?

“Hey, Reina. I found your name.” Chase said while pointing to the second door. “You’re partnered with Leila, it seems.”

“Isn’t she the highest-ranked student in our class? I wonder what district she came from.” Kimberly asked.

A tinge of electricity ran down my back. There was no escaping that girl now. What an intriguing development.

“Looks like we won’t be able to play in the same room anymore,” Paige murmured.

“We’ll still be able to play together in Callixtus, so it’s all good. And besides, this’ll be a good opportunity for us to make friends.” Tiger said.

Spoken like a true optimist. Why would anyone waste time being cordial when they’ve got their own goals and interests? And expecting someone to play friendly was inconsiderate at best.

My Vatican door opened, and Xochitl walked out while brushing her black bangs. She then turned to me with widening eyes.

“Finally, you’re here!” Xochitl exclaimed, her relief clear in her voice. “I was just about to go looking for you. Those lessons were taking forever and a half.”

“Why would you need to be waiting for me? I don’t need to do another tour, do I?”

Xochitl expressively laughed. “No, no! Nothing like that. I’m your mentor. I thought we’d get caught up before you enter the game, is all.”

“My… mentor?”

Xochitl nodded, then turned to the others with a gasping smile. “Oh, super rude of me! I’m Xochitl, Reina’s friend and mentor! My father works for NAVE, so I sometimes help cover for him with projects like this. Since you're her friends, this probably won’t be the last time we meet.”

Did she assume these were my friends? And did she presume I was hers?

“Wait, mentor? As in for the game?” Chase asked.

“Uh, yeah, I guess. But we’re mostly here to give them insight on everything in between. It doesn’t limit itself to just Callixtus.”

Tiger shoved his hands into his pockets. “Cool, cool. Does every student get a mentor?”

“Hmm, afraid not. Only students in Track S are allowed a mentor. “

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Whaa? That’s so not fair! How can we climb the rankings when they’re getting people to help them?” Kimberly whined with puffed cheeks.

“Well, they can’t appeal to every student. All the mentors were matched based on personalities and goals similar to those of their S-Track students. On top of that, they’ve got a lot of top officials, from renowned politicians to mega-corp CEOs. I think I even saw some major fashion designer here, too.”

She then turned to me and playfully stuck out her tongue. “But Reina’s stuck with little ol’ me. I’m not that special at all!”

That wasn’t reassuring in the slightest. Did she become my mentor just to keep tabs on me while I investigated that underground market? I would’ve rather had someone to help maintain my position in the class, though. What a pain.

The elevator doors gleamed white, then parted smoothly. Leila stepped out, chatting with an older woman.

The woman’s black hair, flecked with strands of gray, was neatly braided into a bun at the back. She was dressed in a sharp black business suit and a gray patterned tie; her look was completed by black high-heeled shoes with front openings that significantly heightened her stature, giving her an imposing presence. Her round-slanted eyes had gray irises that were like looking down the steel barrel of a gun.

I stepped to the side as Leila walked past into the Vatican. The woman watched the door close in front of her, then glanced toward Xochitl.

“Ms. Yūga. It’s a pleasure to meet one of the finest designers the world has ever seen. I rock all of your clothes.” She then pointed to her hoodie. “You made this piece in your NEXTGen collection this year.”

“Like your father, you know how to compliment. But that outfit was yesterday’s edition. I will send you our newest collection soon.”

Xochitl clapped her hands together with a smile. “Thanks so much! And I will make tons of posts about it, as always!”

The woman then turned around, taking out an electric cigar and placing it on her lips.

“Goodbye, Mother,” I said.

Mother stopped mid-stride and let out a cloud of gray smoke from her lips.

“Don’t call me that,” she rebuked sharply without looking back. She then got into the elevator, not giving me a single glance as the doors shut closed.

My head felt stuffy, and my eyes itched on the verge of tears. I dug my fingernails into my hands and bit my lip.

That’s what I get for being an idiot.

“Wait, Reina, your mother is the CEO of NeoWeave? They make the top fashion to the moon and back!” Kimberly gasped. “They even designed our uniforms!”

“Having her as a mentor has its perks. Guess that’s what being the top-ranking student in your class gets you.” Chase said.

Tiger walked beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Reina. You okay? You look pale. And your… hand is bleeding.”

I raised my palms, now with deep curved incisions and bloody fingernails.

“I’m fine. It was an accident. I’ll be heading inside now.”

I brushed his hand off and entered the Vatican. The room was wide and white, like a square cube with endless horizons.

Two Nexern gaming rigs were positioned at opposite ends of the room, each housed within a smaller enclosure of white glass. As I approached and dabbed the glass, its textured surface sent a tingling sensation across my hands. Inside was a compact living area equipped with a toilet, shower, and small bed, complete with neatly folded towels and pillows. It made me wonder—were they expecting us to live here during the intervals between gaming sessions?

Leila’s glass space was opaque with a black covering. I guess she was already in the game. I would’ve never thought she’d have my mother as her mentor. I wouldn’t even contemplate why my mother didn’t tell me she was involved with Seya or even that she would mentor one of my classmates. One of the many perks of disownment.

Footsteps echoed through the room as Xochitl stood beside me.

“We need to talk, Reina.”

“No, we don’t. I know you only became my mentor to keep tabs on me, but it's truly unnecessary. I haven’t said a word to anyone, nor will I.”

She grabbed my hand and cleaned the blood from my fingernails and palm with a small black handkerchief.

“That’s not at all why I chose to be your mentor. We’re alike in a lot of ways, believe it or not. I see a younger me. Someone who’s proud but neglected, afraid to get close because you don’t want to get hurt. But you have so much potential, and I want to help you.”

I snatched my hand away and rolled my eyes. “I don’t need help from you. I don’t need help from anyone. I’ll prove to her I’m capable, then she—”

Xochitl shook her head. “You shouldn’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

“Yes, yes I do! If I don’t, then why doesn’t… How will she ever…”

“… Acknowledge you?” Xochitl finished.

My throat felt tight, and I could barely breathe through my nose. I slumped to the side and clenched my chest, my eyes seeing spiraling shapes.

“Reina? Reina!”

I shoved her away, ran into the Vatican, swiped down the opaque view, and then dropped to the floor. My fingers ran through my hair, and I felt like I wanted to scream, but the tightness in my throat wouldn’t allow it.

I didn’t want to hear it, but for a long time, I always knew. My parents built me to become this proper over-achiever, but as soon as I inconvenienced them, they threw me away like garbage. Xochitl was right, and so was Chairman Homura. I was just a parent-pleaser with an identity locked into gaining their admiration.

Then Mother ran off and supposedly found someone better. She wanted to replace me with some stuck-up bitch who thought they were top shit. No, no way. This cannot be happening.

I couldn’t control the tears flowing down my cheeks. My face felt hot, and I knew if I saw anyone right now, I’d probably kick their face in.

My fingernails scraped the ground, and at that moment, I remembered the dirt trapped under my nails as I sat in the forest alongside Agnelov. Her humming tune enveloped me, comforting me like a gentle breeze. The warmth of Lady Cheykina’s embrace followed, and the memory of looking into her loving eyes, inviting scent, and soft skin.

I needed to see them. Any of them would do. I just needed to be around people who cared… even if they faked it for the game, I don’t care.

I strapped onto the Nexern rig and placed my hand on the console.

〉 Calibrating brain waves.

〉 Signature detected.

〉 Vitals, clear.

〉 Supporting cortexes, clear.

〉 Cognitive connection, relative.

〉 Log-in, accepted.

〉 SRO, verified. MEGA-R, verified.

〉 Initiating sleep paralysis.

〉 Welcome back, Yokamono, to the World of Callixtus.