When he woke up, he went through his normal routine: Brush his teeth, shower, then eat, with a meal already prepared by Sophie.

"What was in the letter?" she asked, between bites of food. It seemed it was eating her.

"Nothing much," Sebastian replied, tapping his foot. "Just some sort of scam, as usual."

"Sure." She let the topic drop, staying quiet throughout the meal. Sebastian followed suit.

"Have a good day," he called, stepping out through the door.

It was a bright and warm day. It was a shame he couldn't enjoy it much.

He was greeted, as he punched into work, by his boss, who always greeted him.

"How's it going?" he asked, putting an arm around Sebastian's shoulder.

Sebastian replied with the same answer as always, "It's going, sir."

"I'll bet it is. Now, have a good day." He waved at Sebastian, before entering his closed office. Sebastian went to his station, picking up the first of many toys.

As usual, it was a very tedious day of work. Even with his easygoing attitude, Sebastian felt the heat getting to him.

He didn't think much of it, though, as the looming figure of the mail hovered over him. He couldn't help but feel that he was making a horrible decision.

He was content with working here forever. He didn't need to go somewhere else, and he most certainly didn't need to try anything new.

At some point, his hands stopped moving, as he just stood there. He sighed, moving to his boss's office, ready to be yelled at.

"Boss," he said, barging in. His boss jumped awake, scanning the room. He continued, "I would like the rest of the day off."

"Oh," his boss responded. "If that's it, then that's fine, so long as you get some more done tomorrow." He waved him away, his head hitting his desk before a 'Thank you' could be said.

Sebastian had found somewhere quiet to sit down by. That was all he did. Everyone else that saw him must have been thinking how much of a bum he looked.

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An electronic device shop owner started their front TV, showing the News. Sebastian watched for but a moment before rushing into the store, listening to the broadcast.

"So, you got a letter from Olympus, one of the top Guilds, to go through a competition?" the News Anchor asked a man with a built physique.

"Yes," the man responded, stiffly. "I have no idea what they really want, but it said that there were 31 people, including me. In addition, there is going to be a competition with a huge reward. At Mount Olympus, too!"

"That is an unusual amount of people going," they added. "It's too little for new Awakened, and far too much for visitors. Well, you heard it here, folks: Olympus is up to something." The screen cut out, fading to static.

"Hey!" Sebastian called out, looking towards the owner, who was also watching. "What happened!?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe they were shut down. That happens a lot to News stations these days. Can't really trust what they say anymore."

Sebastian left the store, feeling far worse than he had before he entered.

He found himself at home, far emptier than it normally was. It was. Sophie should be at school, though he couldn't guarantee it. She took after her mother, in that way.

Anyway, he used the house's lone computer to look up for information. He couldn't find a single word about the News he had seen.

He wasted an hour, just looking for something to prove he wasn't crazy. In the end, he gave up, retreating to his room.

In there, he picked through the trash, finding the letter. He read through it, again and again, over and over. He read it so much that he memorised the font, the words, everything about it. Still, he could not go. It pained him, horribly so.

Then, the door opened. A welcome disturbance.

He forced a smile, leaving his room to see Sophie, and a boy, holding hands.

"You better hurry," she said, facing the boy. "Before my dad comes."

The boy's eyes locked with his, and the boy broke out into a cold sweat.

"Honey, who is this?" Sebastian called out, causing Sophie to yelp.

The boy didn't seem too bad, both in looks and money. Still, he wanted to know.

"Oh, him?" Sophie managed, through her stuttering. "He's just a friend, helping with a school project."

Sebastian nodded along. "Then, I guess you wouldn't mind him staying for dinner."

Sophie nervously smiled, secretly pinching the man's arm.

"Actually, I do have to get home..."

"No worries. Just tell your folks that you can't tonight."

Eventually, Sebastian won, getting the boy to stay for dinner. Sophie didn't seem too pleased.

"So, what is your name?" Sebastian asked, waiting for food to be finished.

"Isaac Luck," he responded, not meeting his eye.

Sebastian felt that the name seemed familiar, but ignored it.

"How's school, Isaac? And how's my daughter?"

"Uh, your daughter is fine- good, with her work." Isaac was tensed, as he answered the question.

"I see." He kept nodding, before looking him directly in the eye. "Have you kissed yet?"

"No, not-" He stopped himself, reeling from his mistake. He coughed. "What might you be talking about?" he wondered, poorly whistling.

"Well, she seems to like you, so I approve." There was a silence that seemed comfortable to Sebastian, but must've been suffocating for Isaac. "Would your family let her stay with you? For just a few days." Isaac weakly nodded.

"What have you two been talking about?" Sophie asked, bringing the food to the table.

"Nothing much," Sebastian said. "By the way, I might have a business trip in a few days. Since you two are such great friends, do you mind staying at his house?"