[8:04 A.M., Three Skies University, New Hope Super-Capital, Rhombu].

A giant circular castle sat near a moat. In the center were three spires that formed a smaller circle. Each had a set of stairs that led underground, opening into a spacious hall filled with classrooms.

Further out, up to the first perimeter, was the inner courtyard. Private lessons, personal duels, and extracurricular activities could be found here. It was where students spent most of their time.

Beyond, up until the second perimeter, was the central courtyard. This spot was used for tours, general studying, and public school events. Everything beyond was considered the main entrance. Off-duty officers and sentries in towers patrolled the outermost perimeter.

In the crowd, a conversation about April Sigfrey could be heard.

"Have you found anything out, Gene?" a young man, Michael, asked.

"About what?" Gene asked with a smile.

"Don't make this difficult!" Michael said with a frown.

"A love-smitten gentleman should work up the courage to ask themselves," Gene teasingly replied.

Michael took a deep breath.

"You insist on being difficult?" Michael asked, annoyed.

"I don't know," Gene said while shrugging his shoulders. "I know someone who trains there on the weekends. Elder Sigfrey is truly strict with this Cadet".

"Put some pressure on him," Micheal said, unconvinced.

"The last disciple that couldn't control his emotions had his arm broken. I learn some interesting things every now and then. Why would I risk such a thing," Gene said while shaking his head.

Michael only grunted, the anger on his face quite apparent.

"I have a buddy who has a brother in the military. It's a long shot, but I can ask," Eclaire suddenly said.

Michael's eyes lit up.

"Good! You've always been someone I can rely on, Eclaire!" Michael said enthusiastically.

"Don't mention it," Eclaire commented.

"Gene. I'll see you in class. Don't forget. We have to duel later, so we don't rust before the inter-class rankings," Michael said indifferently before handing an exquisite box to Eclaire.

He opened the box, and it sucked him in, and then the box swallowed itself a moment later.

(Ding)

(Dong)

(Ding)

(Dong)

"I have no idea why his family is only registered as Upper-Class. With this technology, it's enough to catapult them into the MegaElites. There's a new gal in town. Want me to introduce you to her? Heard she might be one of three New Hope belles," Gene said as he looked at the box.

"Sure, why not," Eclaire said with a smile.

——|——|—|—|——|——

A young boy plucked a star from the sky and threw it in his mouth. Every crunch produced an explosion, a mess of juicy energy that he swallowed instantly.

He plucked another star, then another, then more, and more, until a part of the sky turned incredibly dark. A hand slapped his head from behind. He turned around, crying.

"Father!! I'm hungry," the boy said through tears.

"Enough, child. Don't bloat yourself," a man said, his voice booming yet calm.

"I don't want to go to the feast! I want to stay home and eat!" the boy continued to cry.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"So you don't want to talk with Lily?" the man asked.

"Lily!" the boy smiled.

"Don't blame me if you miss out," the man said.

"I want to go! I want to go!!!" the boy screamed and danced excitedly.

"Have you attained OverCharge yet?" the man asked.

"It's tough. I don't know what's the secret," the boy said, becoming gloomy instantly.

"You want to meet her, yet at the same time, you don't want to go. Isn't it obvious?" the man explained.

The boy looked at his father, confused.

"OverLoad requires decisiveness. If you can't make up your mind, don't bother coming," the man clarified sternly.

"Oh!" the boy nodded, oblivious to the nuanced threat.

"Here, I have a treat for you," the man said, carefully showing the boy a miniaturized black hole.

The boy opened his mouth in amazement, and the man shoved the black hole into his mouth. He reflexively swallowed it as an explosion rocked his body, inflating several times his normal size. He burped, deflating the next second.

"Try now, boy," the man commanded.

The boy inhaled and kept inhaling. He kept inhaling as though his lungs had no limit. His body enlarged to the point where the room was about to burst open. A distinct squeak could be heard, getting higher and higher in pitch. The body suddenly popped, but there was no blood or guts. Just something like confetti with two men standing in the room. One middle-aged, the other a young adult.

"Steve, if you still couldn't achieve OverLoad with that, you would've forever remained a kid without any more tasty black holes," the man joked.

"Father, you jest, always in my heart. The ability to communicate with the cosmos is truly amazing," Steve replied.

"Of course. We're molded after our heritage. We Star-farers are unique even among our own kind. Like-minded unions are beneficial. Cooperative though. Coercion leads to the extinction of a lineage," the man said grimly.

"Lily has become interested in the other side, right? Fate told me," Steve asked suddenly as his eyes twinkled.

"Boy, are you familiar with our genealogy?" the man asked.

"The common ancestor we share?" Steve replied.

"Yes. Rumors are spreading," the man said.

Steve sucked in a breath of cold air.

"Remember. Unspoken cooperative agreement. Different branches but same roots. Violation is punishable by stripping the ancestral blood,” the man warned.

"I know," Steve nodded. "Competition is fun."

The man nodded.

"Father. Do you know what my ability is?" Steve asked, excited.

"Figure that out yourself, boy. We are Star-farers. We explore uncharted territory. We don't ask for directions. We make them," the man replied before leaving the room.

——|——|—|—|——|——

Lily Lightning was overflowing at the seams with thunder. As she breathed in, all life was still. As she breathed out, her giggle penetrated the regions beyond her. The mountains shook as the snow melted. Angels went on overdrive, almost like they had been OverCharged. The ocean opened its mouth, swallowing an endless horizon.

The scene shocked every man, woman, young adult, elder, and child. This giggle was similar to a baptism. It cleansed their bones and marrow, strengthened their muscles, and washed them with clarity. It was like some kind of god had descended, offering his blessings.

"Someone has actually OverCharged? How wonderful!"

"Our people will be ushered into a new age of miracles and wonders."

"I wonder who it is? Adam? Claire? One of the others?"

"We are all part of the same family ultimately. One benefits the rest."

"Let's head over and offer congratulations."

"Maybe we can finally unlock the Sanctum."

Regardless of where the lightning struck, Lily would skip there. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Lightning struck a mountaintop, and she immediately appeared there. As she concentrated even harder, the lightning tempered her. She was like an iron rod as she stood there, staring off into the distance.

The spatial fluctuations became transparent like she could see through them. The forest, a massive lake, New Hope, a barren desert. These sights gradually became bigger and bigger in her eyes. She frowned and looked around. Right when lightning struck near a base, a hand grabbed her shoulder. She lost her focus as the lightning returned to the sky. She turned around.

"Madam Ifrit," Lily said.

"Lily. You can only leave with the protection of an Elder. I know you want to find him, but you can always ask me," Madam Ifrit smiled. "Would you like to know more about what he's been up to?"

Lily nodded.

"Have you heard any of the rumors? Of course, nothing's absolutely certain," Madam Ifrit asked.

"A second calamity is inevitable," Lily said, trembling as she stumbled backward.

"I'm not too sure. Cursed. Evil. Scum of all existences," Madam Ifrit explained, her voice suddenly becoming very murderous.

"Do you mean the Forsaken?" Lily whispered in horror.

"I'm surprised you know about them. It seems the inevitable has happened. Sweet child, the burden you're carrying is too great," Madam Ifrit commented, forcing herself to calm down as she realized something.

Silence.

"It's a burden I must carry. To pass the torch to future generations. To never forget. I lack a prophecy for hope. All I have is an inevitability," Lily explained, sullen.

"Oh. What is it? Isn't inevitability hope?" Madam Ifrit asked, confused.

"The Golden Key, the uniquely unrivaled ACE. All things are child's play," Lily explained.

"Golden Key? ACE? Are they two separate things? Why isn't the Forsaken mentioned?" Madam Ifrit frowned, unable to understand.

"That's all I know. Please, can we send people in to look for those keywords?" Lily asked.

"Of course. I'll let the Elders know. Are you ready for the feast? Best not to fret too much about things currently outside our control," Madam Ifrit agreed readily.

"But, what is the feast?" Lily asked, nodding.

"Alright. I'll tell you on the way," Madam Ifrit smiled.