“So this is how a good day feels like.”

The morning glare of the sun didn't feel as irritating as yesterday, the creaky floorboards doesn't make me want to scratch my head, and my morning breakfast was like a full course meal.

“You'll be late if you kept grinning like that, Brother!”

“Yes, yes.”

My sister look much cuter than usual as well.

“Seriously! If you don't hurry you wouldn't graduate!”

“You're wrong there, even if I don't attend the graduation ceremony I could still get my diploma later.”

'Did my sister just get stupid, or has she always been stupid?'

As I pondered about that philosophical question she, with her woman's intuition, sensed my thoughts and immidiately rebuked me.

“Don't look at me like that! And don't say that—don't you want to be on stage, take a graduation pics with your friends, and give thanks to your teachers?”

'No, it's a hassle. I don't have that many friends, and who would thank those people anyway?'

Before I could put my thoughts into words though, I saw her look at me with tears threatening to fall from her amethyst like eyes.

“'Cause I think that's what daddy and mommy wants.”

When I heard her said that, my hand unconsciously felt the diamond shaped necklace hidden under my shirt.

It's the only remaining memento I have from them.

I don't know if her bringing mother and father into the conversation is intentional or not, but she's one sly of a woman.

I didn't continue my verbal battle with her and instead ate my full course meal in hurry.

•••

“See, we're not late.”

I said to my well dressed sister as we entered the well decorated doors of my school's event hall.

Did she forgot how many years I've been going back and forth to this school? The perfect time to arrived in school without being late has long been carved into my very system.

“Yes, yes. Hurry and go now in your seat! I'll take your pictures later.”

She's grinning like a mad clown when she said that. Was her previous pitiful plea was only a well made act of her. How irritating.

“You know, you sound like an auntie when you said that.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

After lighting her fuse I did not wait to get caught up with the explosion, instead I quickly went towards my designated seat.

Our seats are arranged in the order of our final school ranking—it's meritocracy at it's finest.

My final ranking is not that bad, but it's also not that good, just so-so. That's why I was placed somewhere below the middle.

From my seat I could see students who are full of smiles.

Some are fixing the graduation pins in their dark blue blazers, while some wore unique looking leis around their neck.

Their joyous and celebratory mood are oozing from every inch of their body making the hall feel more lively.

Meanwhile those who are very, very happy already started their celebration.

I can see one of our top scorer boasting his new beast companion to his friends.

'Its an Inferno Hound cub, with an A- talent. It would be a one star Champion Beast once its fully matured.

'How expensive. To them it's just a graduation gift, but for me that would be my lifetime of government allowance and my parents insurance combined.'

I shook my head and let go of those envious thoughts. He is he and I am me, there's no point of comparing myself with him. Once I'm successful—

“I could buy dozens of cubs like that.”

“Of what?”

I looked at the seat next to me and saw a boy that looks the same with the pedestrian I passed a while ago, forgettable.

He is Johnson Brown, someone whom I've been close with since the start of highschool, probably due to some similarities in our situation.

“Of your mother.”

His expression crumpled a little

“You know that's not a good joke, Aster.”

“I know.”

Johnson's gazed lingered on me, and then the light of comprehension lit up his eyes.

“Is it because I surprised you?”

“...”

“Sigh... how petty.” he whispered, but I was able to hear it clearly.

However, I did not rebuke him, I already tried doing that couple of times.

I told him that it's not pettiness instead it's what they called 'an eye for an eye', but he just forgets it a day later.

After that I realized that it's better to shut up than argue with an idiot.

“So, what will you do after this?” he suddenly asked.

“Military College.” I answered unhesitatingly.

I already long made plans for my future, and what comes after this graduation is only a small step for my success.

Johnson opened his eyes wide showing his surprise.

“Do you even have money for that?”

“I don't. I got a scholarship.”

“You even got scholarship!?” his eyes widened furthered. His reactions is kind of satisfying.

'Of course I have, long after our second year started I already started looking for sponsors.'

Johnson put his face disgustingly close to mine, his eyes is shining bright as he asks me.

“Where? Is it Lancelot? Brighton? Uzlech? ... Don't tell me it's The—”

Before his imagination go wild much further, I decided to douse it with a cup of cold and hard reality.

“It's the West Beta Camp.”

I saw the glow in his eyes lost its luster and his interest dwindled into nothing.

“Third-rate.”

“Yeah. I appreciate that you thought of me that highly though, but reality is like this.”

The scholarship for that low rank academy that I got can already be considered a miracle for an orphan like me, who's left behind in dust by most of his peers.

While the top notchers were breaking through Tier II, I was only able to form my second star after a year of sheer hardwork and effort.

Wishing for something better than that would not be a dream, but instead just an illusion of a madman.

'And it's not like West Beta is my end goal.'

Once I gain my first beast companion I would surely soar the greatest heights and the likes of third rate academies would only feel like a cage for me.

But for now, no matter how bad it is, I need a platform to improve my basics and grow my skills steadily.

And it's not like West Beta Camp is that of a bad choice, they only need small number of achievements for them to be considered as second-rate after all.

I looked at Johnson and patted his shoulder.

“Don't worry, once the name, Aster Night, become renown throughout the central region the first thing I'll do is say your name.”

“That's not gonna happen.”

I only smiled against his blatant disregard of my proclamation.

”We'll see.”

•••