Kiran and Garnett sit outside. They observe the other people – Arkodians – going about their daily lives.

"I cannot believe it. To think this has all been happening outside of The Trials. Do you not agree Kiran?"

"I guess? It feels normal. I don't remember much."

"Right…"

Kiran and Garnett see Joseff coming with Easton.

"Hello!" shouts Kiran—Garnett waves.

Joseff is holding Easton by his left shoulder. "Yo! Good to see you two!"

"Stop dragging me like a dog, old man!" Easton struggles while he walks with Joseff.

"There weren't any other newborns. Which is to be expected!"

"Who'd ever work for a Guild that doesn't make Creditation? Only an idiot would join."

"Guess we are all idiots together Easton! Buahahaha!"

Joseff lets Easton go and Easton immediately brushes his shoulder off.

"Alright. So it's time we head out to Harmony. We are travelling this way." Joseff points towards a road going into nature.

"But the train station is the other way. I saw many other newborns go that way." Garnett points the other way.

"Correct Garnett! But we are Harmony and don't get to use those luxuries!"

"What?!" grunts Easton. "Are you serious old man?! The most basic form of transport is not available to us??"

"Don't you worry, Easton! You will all travel like kings. Come on. We need to head to the coffee shop area."

The 4 of them walk towards a wooden cart with a tarp over it. It was tied to a tree. Joseff removes the tarp, revealing sacks that serve as cushions. There were also other sacks on the cart.

"Right here boys! I will be pulling us to Harmony."

"You're kidding, right? I'd rather run."

"Sounds great Easton! You can set the pace. You two, climb on."

Kiran and Garnett sit on the sacks. Joseff goes to the front where 2 ropes are attached to the cart. He uses the 2 ropes to pick up the cart.

"Alright, Easton. Start running. Just follow the road."

"No problem." Easton stares at the road and smiles. "Try to keep up. Once I am out of his sight, I'll run away." Easton starts sprinting.

"WHOA! MY BODY FEELS AMAZING! HAHAHAHA! NO WAY THAT OLD MAN CATCHES ME PULLING THAT CART!"

"Yo Easton! You have great athleticism!"

"Huh?" Easton looks behind him with his eyes wide. "W-What?! Am I that slow?!"

Kiran and Garnett are holding onto the corners tightly. Garnett breathes heavily. "Please give me a warning next time!"

It's 2 hours into the journey. Easton leads while Joseff pulls the cart with Kiran and Garnett. Kiran watches Easton closely. He visualizes the form Easton uses to run. He's been doing it for a while.

"Can I run too?"

"Sure thing Kiran! It must be boring to sit the whole time. Garnett, you want to run?"

"No thank you."

Kiran jumps out and starts running along. He tries his best, but he barely keeps up with Easton.

"Slow the pace down, Easton! Let's go, everyone! One two!"

They run for 2 more hours. Their speed has decreased due to Kiran joining.

"Hold up you two! We need to stop here!"

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Kiran and Easton both halt Joseff's call. Kiran is dripping in sweat and leaning on his knees, breathing heavily. Easton also has sweat but isn't nearly as soaked as Kiran.

"I think it's time we eat something. You all must be starving! Good job you two! I am impressed by both of your stamina." Joseff smiles.

Easton glares at Kiran. "As expected. Well, it's nothing new. Just wish I could've run faster. Stupid red-rank."

Kiran stares down at the floor. "That was hard! I did it though. Easton doesn't even look tired. Joseff is barely sweating…" He sighs and stands up.

Joseff ties the cart to a nearby tree.

"This way. Come on."

Joseff leads the 3 newborns to a small obscure area further on the dirt path. They finally get to an area with no fences around. There is a small wooden shop.

"Alright gang. This is the best place. I always make sure to stop here. The best noodles you will ever get are here!"

"That sounds good!"

"That does sound enjoyable."

"I don't care."

"Buahaha! I am going in. You 3 go choose a table for us."

The small wooden shop has a sign. A picture of a bowl with steam coming out of it is on it. Joseff walks inside the wooden shop.

"Yo Granny! How are you?"

An old woman stands by the counter. There was a curtain behind her acting as a door to the kitchen. She smiles.

"Oh, Joseff. I can't complain. You look good and bright. How are you, sweetie?"

"You always flatter me, Granny! I am feeling great! Not only did Harmony get its first newborns in 15 years. We also got a yellow-rank to join!"

"How sweet. So you won't be eating alone this time?"

"Nope! Not this time. I have 3 others with me. Buahahaha!"

"That sounds wonderful Joseff sweetie. You know what? No favours are needed this time. These 4 meals are on the house."

"Granny that's so sweet of you! I appreciate that so much. That's why I always come here. No one beats your hospitality!"

"Now look who is flattering. Please give me a moment while I make the meals for you."

"Don't rush Granny! Make it the best way you know how."

"I'll even give you an extra kick, Joseff."

The old woman leaves to the back of the room towards the kitchen. She passes the curtain and sweat starts dripping off her forehead.

"Well done, hag. You kept your cool well."

A bald man sits on a bucket. There are 2 others with him, all of them wearing black. He kicks dirt away.

"Yuck. Now remember what we said. You give me the food after you are finished. You will hand them the bowls, and you will say nothing. Otherwise…"

The bald man swipes his thumb over his throat. The old lady nods very fast, a tear falling from her eye. "Sorry, Joseff…"

Outside, the 3 newborns in their orange jumpsuits sit at a table where the seats are attached to the table. The table was in a circle, and there were only 4 seats.

A squeak sound escapes when Easton shuffles. "Ugh. Gosh. These seats are so uncomfortable."

"I don't think they're that bad." Kiran bounces on the seat.

"Shut up red-rank. No one has asked for your opinion."

"You are also red-rank."

"Don't lump me in with you! I am not red-rank."

Easton and Kiran sit by each other. Easton takes out his card. The ID number 27750100001 is on it.

"See? Number 1. I was first awake. Far before any of you."

"Oh! This is mine! I think I was the last one awake!" Kiran smiles and shows his ID. "Did you also fight a bird?"

"Crow," interjects Garnett

"What? No," says Easton.

"This bird was taller than me! It was scary."

"Hmm. In The Trials, we did have survival tasks against animals that were said to be in the Promised Land – which I guess is Arkodia."

"We did?" asks Garnett. "I only remember learning about animals."

"I don't remember anything! Only the black bird."

"It was not a normal crow. Not one I learnt about anyway. I do not know crows like that."

"Seems like it killed someone."

Both Kiran and Garnett stare at Easton.

"What? I could tell by this guy's demeanour that this crow did something when he started talking. And by your reaction, I'm right. So what happened?"

Kiran and Garnett relay what occurred.

"You sound smart yellow-rank. Good instinct. Doesn't sound like the crow was something to mess with." Easton stares at the 2 in front of him. "I don't remember either of these 2 from The Trials. I want to move on from this conversation." He clears his throat. "So what's your gift? Since you are yellow-rank, you have a gift."

"Oh. Uh."

Garnett puts his hands together. Sweat forms on his head. When he opens his hands, a seed is in there.

"I can create pumpkin seeds."

"Whoa! Garnett! That's amazing!" Kiran enthusiastically looks at Garnett's hands. "That came out of nowhere!"

"Yeah! I can only create pumpkin seeds though. I studied them very closely during The Trials."

"That's a gift worthy of yellow rank?!" Easton grits his teeth. He looks at his red armband.

"Yo! That's mighty impressive Garnett!" Joseff comes from the side. "And it even seems to be holding. That's good!"

He takes the seed and inspects it. "It isn't disappearing?! Wow!"

Joseff pats Garnett's head. "You look tired. I guess this is the second time you used your gift today? Don't overdo yourself, Garnett."

"Yes sir."

"Hahaha! No need to be so formal!"

"Sorry sir."

"…Anyway." Joseff puts a tray on the table with 4 bowls of noodles.

"Lunch is served! Dig in, and then we can travel again!"

Kiran looks with big eyes at his food.

Easton sticks his fork in the noodles and picks it up. He inspects the noodles before dropping them back into the bowl. "Ugh. I might as well try it." Nom. "Not too bad I guess. It's edible."

Kiran stuffs the noodles down his throat.

"Buahahaha! What did I tell you? Isn't this the best noodles ever-"

Joseff's body becomes stiff with a big smile on his face. He tilts backwards.

"S-Sir? Are you okay?"

Joseff falls backwards and slams into the ground. Dust appears around him.

"Joseff!"

"Old man? WHAT?!"

Easton tilts, falls forward and slams into his bowl of noodles. The bowl flips and lands on his head. Noodles and water are all over his hair and face.

"Why can't I control my body?!"

"I-I cannot move."

"Me neither!"

Garnett and Kiran are still sitting up. Before Garnett falls over, a bald man covered in black catches him and throws him over his shoulder. Kiran slams hard onto the table.

"Pick those 2 red ranks up as well. We can't leave any witnesses. We can use them in our guild."

"Yes sir."

2 others dressed in black appear behind Easton and Kiran.

"Don't touch me!"

"Joseff! Help!"

Joseff's mouth twitches after Kiran screams. His body lies still.

Easton shoots his eyes towards the bald man. "That's the guy who stopped me after my evaluation! Why is he here?!"

"Come. Let's go. I can't stand the smell of this place."

"Yes sir."

The men in black take the newborns away back towards the main road.