“Today we welcome and congratulate our 75th graduating class!” Principal Walters’ voice boomed into the microphone, sounding throughout the outdoor stadium. The audience yelled and howled in excitement. When it finally died down, he continued. “Congratulations to all of you. You have all endured the difficult task of graduating. Some of you, barely, but you did it.” He paused again as various bouts of laughter sounded from the audience.

“Now, we will begin the same way that we do every year. We will announce the Top 10 students of our graduating class. These are the students who, from day one, have worked the hardest. In order to honor them they will not only receive the freedom to live in the most privileged section of the great city of Bellum, but the Top 3 will be eligible to become Outer or Inner Commanders. To do the honors, we’ll have Chief Farlan. Please welcome him onto the stage.”

Academy Graduation was one of the few various days of the year that Chief Farlan revealed his face to the crowd. Tall, powerful, and with gray hairs now peppering his once sleek dark hair, the man waved with a confidence and pride that only a leader could carry. The audience roared for him. He laughed and raised his hands, urging for the crowd to silence. “Thank you folks, but today isn’t about me. Today is about your incredible graduates. Let’s get right to it, shall we?” He announced, accepting an envelope from Principal Walters.

The crowd waited patiently and was almost eerily silent as Chief Farlan unfolded the red envelope in his hands. After all, being part of the Top 10 is one of the biggest honors one could possibly receive, given that they were living in an oversized box and there wasn’t much opportunity for them to shine.

“Number One, Morgana Faye,” he read aloud, to which the audience exploded with cheers. Morgana’s demeanor remained the same as it did every other day. The gray-eyed brunette strode onto the stage, her hair twisted into a tight bun at the crown of her head. Her piercing eyes scanned the eyes of her fellow students, as if daring them to question her ranking. “Morgana ranked in the top 5 for her entire academic career in nearly all categories. Her teachers have described her as a hard worker who excels in the fields of weaponry and strategy.” Morgana accepted the diploma, nodded to the crowd in acknowledgment, and stood off to the side of the stage.

“Number Two, Kai Grayson.” Before Chief Farlan had even finished reading off his name, Kai was already standing, throwing his fists into the air with pride. The entire audience cheered for him, loud enough that the ground seemed to shake. “Kai has been described as a young man with a knack for learning. He’s this year’s top ranked student in melee weaponry.” Accepting his diploma, Kai smiled and took his spot next to Morgana. As if the argument from the night before had been forgotten, he found Elle in the crowd and gave her a thumbs up and a grin.

Elle gave him a small smile, though she was shaking in her seat. Her hands were clenched into fists as she tried to remain calm. The next announcement would determine her future. She held her breath, the noise in the room beginning to fade away into muffled sounds. She looked to her left where Silas sat, five seats away. Elle had never seen him look so nervous before. His hands were gripping onto his seat as if his life depended on it.

“Number Three, Silas Blake.” Chief Farlan read. From the corner of her eye she could see Silas looking at her, waiting for some kind of reaction. Elle closed her eyes, forcing herself to hold back the tears that threatened to reveal themselves to the crowd. “Silas placed first in projectile weapon reparations, and placed second to Morgana in gunshot accuracy.”

Though she wanted to feel happy for him, Elle couldn’t help but feel her heart drop when Chief Farlan continued. “Number Four, Estelle Kennicot.” She heard and she looked up, unaware that Silas had already taken his diploma and was standing next to Kai. She observed the defeated expression on his face and shook her head in shame. “Trailing after Silas by just a smidge, Estelle placed first in silent combat and is known for being well versed in the geography of the world as we used to know it.”

Accepting her diploma and standing next to Silas, she felt her heart constrict when she realized how stiff he was. She took his hand in hers and looked straight forward as Silas squeezed her hand lightly.

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“Number Five, Levi Parker.” Chief Farlan continued. His introduction was drowned out by Silas.

“I’m sorry.” Silas apologized, his voice sounding hoarse.

“Stop that,” Elle scolded, “Don’t apologize for achieving. I’m proud of you. It’s a little hard for me to show it right now... but I am proud of you, Silas.”

“It was important to you.” He said, and Elle bit her lip. All she needed to do was cheer for him, and she couldn’t even do that.

“You’re more important to me.” She said, squeezing his hand. “We’re okay.” She reassured him. Spotting her father in the crowd, she saw that he still had proud tears in his eyes. He was as happy as he would have been if she had made it into the Top 3.

Suddenly Levi appeared next to her, reminding her of the environment that they were in. She released Silas’ hand. “Congrats, you guys.” He grinned, and Elle couldn’t help but smile back. Levi was almost always in a good mood. He could lift their spirits. “Here’s to hoping that Niko makes it too.”

Elle scoffed as Chief Farlan continued, “Number Six, Amity Burkhart.” Elle looked through the crowd to find the girl and found her instantly. She had one distinct feature that made it easy to pick her out of a crowd: her hair color. She was one of the two people in town with red hair. “Amity excels at weapon modification, and she’s also our number one volunteer at the Opportunity House.” Amity accepted her diploma and smiled shyly at the crowd.

She began her way to her spot next to Levi when Chief Farlan continued, “Number Seven, Zen Wilder.” He announced and Elle applauded, cheering for her long-time simulation partner. “Zen placed second in silent combat, and has also shown great interest in medicine.” Zen shot Elle a wink as he took his spot next to Amity.

“Number Eight, Alegra DeLane.” With that, Silas and Elle cheered loudly and proudly. They watched Alegra breathe a sigh of relief and release the tension in her shoulders as she made her way on stage. “Alegra has ranked the highest in mental simulations and strategizing sessions since the day she entered the academy.” She smiled, waving at her parents in the crowd before standing in her designated position.

“Number Nine, Nikolai Marino.” Elle jumped, startled at Levi’s enthusiasm. The boy whooped and hollered cheers for his best friend. Niko shot Levi a peace sign with his fingers. After accepting his diploma he walked past his spot, giving Levi a hug before walking back and taking his spot next to Alegra. Though the two of them were arguably the biggest goofballs of their graduating class, they were also two of the most hardworking people that Elle knew.

“And finally, Number Ten, Hugo Buchanan.” Chief Farlan concluded the announcement of the Top Ten students. The boy, who was short and timid, placed his head in his hands in relief. Elle couldn’t help but cheer him on. Hugo’s family had always been on the more impoverished side. He was determined to give his mother and 3 younger siblings a more privileged life, and by earning a spot in the Top 10, he accomplished just that. “Hugo is described by the teachers to be one of the fastest combatants, both in wit and skirmish. He also shows great interest in the medical field.” He said, handing Hugo his diploma.

“Congratulations, man! Proud of you.” Niko praised, slinging his arm around Hugo when he reached his spot next to him.

Hugo, who appeared on the precipice of letting his tears fall, beamed at Niko and the rest of the students on stage. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you to help me. Thank you.” He said, hand pressed against his chest in gratitude.

“And so concludes the announcement of our Top 10 students. Please, give the crowd a bow.” Chief Farlan spoke as he gestured to the students on stage, though he could hardly be heard over the roaring applause of the crowd. “Principal Walters will continue with the rest of the class. Have a wonderful day, folks.” He then turned to them, shaking their hands as he went down the line, beginning with Hugo.

“Our town is very, very proud of all of you,” he began. “Your after-party tonight, prepared by our staff and your fellow classmate,” he paused to gesture to Alegra, “will be located at the Window.” Elle beamed at the thought of going to the Window. It was the only place where citizens could see the outside for all of its glory. “Only the most elite members of our society get to see it, and from now on, the ten of you will have free access.” He explained, watching the eyes of his students begin to sparkle. “Be careful, now. And don’t be too reckless.”

“Thank you, sir. We’ll be sure to be careful.” Morgana replied, giving him a firm handshake as he reached her.

“Oh, I know.” He replied, smiling at the girl. “Just be prepared for anything that comes your way.”